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CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
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Message from the CEO
Dear Fellow Shareholder,
2016 was a remarkable year for Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Through a disciplined
strategy and execution, we were successful in completing the turnaround
initiated in August 2014. I am especially proud of our achievements in the face of
significant macroeconomic challenges in the iron ore and steel industry for much
of the year:
•
• Reduced operational cost structure;
• Entered into a new 10 year agreement with our largest customer;
• Entered into a new labor agreement with the United Steelworkers;
• Restarted two temporarily idled Minnesota mines; and
• Began work to produce a new, customized iron ore pellet for delivery in 2017.
Lowered net debt by 25 percent to $1.8 billion;
We made important financial progress in 2016 and our financial results reflected
strong underlying performance across our business. We achieved all our
financial objectives — a stronger balance sheet, prudent capital deployment,
and reduced cash costs. Through several well-timed liability management
transactions, we reduced net debt by over $600 million dollars. With revenues
of $2.1 billion and net income of $199 million, we achieved earnings per diluted
share of $0.87. We recorded adjusted EBITDA of $374 million and ended the year
with strong cash flow through inventory reduction. We directed our capital mainly
toward sustaining ongoing operations and the development of a new, specialized
superflux pellet for our largest customer, which we will begin producing at United
Taconite mine in Minnesota in spring 2017. On the cost side, we continued to find
ways to improve our operating efficiency across our operations to further reduce
our cash costs. Moving forward, we are well-positioned and expect this positive
financial momentum to continue into 2017.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank the entire Cliffs team for their
continued commitment and dedication to the Company. 2016 was the most
rewarding year of my career as my leadership team met each challenge head on,
remaining true to the company’s values and preserving the foundation on which
Cliffs has been built. We thank the United Steelworkers, our partners, customers,
rail providers, shipping companies, and the communities in which we operate for
your continued support.
Finally, I extend my sincere gratitude to our shareholders for your investment in
our great company. For our business to prosper over the long term, we must
deliver value to you. I look ahead with confidence knowing the resilience and
dedication of my fellow employees will carry Cliffs forward for many, many years
to come, as has been done for the past 170 years.
Sincerely,
Lourenco Goncalves
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Lourenco Goncalves
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
2
MINING COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Cliffs Natural Resources Recognized as the “Best of the Best”
in Global Metals Industry Leadership: Raw Materials and Mining
• Cliffs and its CEO were honored for making bold, strategic decisions that
sustained the company through difficult market conditions, taking advantage
of the opportunities for growth in the U.S. in supplying steelmakers with higher-
grade direct-reduced iron
• Decisive action resulting in a substantial transformation
• Leadership, market expansion, corporate integrity and financial success
• Strong culture of safety that allowed Cliffs to maintain -- even improve --
its record of outperforming industry peers in safety metrics
3
2016: A Year of Best Performance
Best Performing Stock (NYSE:CLF)
• CLF share price appreciated 432% -- the second highest gain on the NYSE
• Best performing Metals and Mining stock
• Best stock performance of Cliffs’ 56-year history on the NYSE
CLF Stock Performance vs. Other Major Indices
Cliffs
S&P 500 Index
Russell 2000 Index
Metal & Mining ETF
432%
106%
19%
12%
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Net Debt (in billions)
$3.0
billion
$2.6
billion
$2.4
billion
August 2014:
New Cliffs emerges
post change in control
$1.8
billion
Aug. 2014
Dec. 2014
Dec. 2015
Dec. 2016
$1.2
billion
Feb. 2017
Pro-forma for
Refinancing Transactions*
*Refinancing transactions include equity and notes offerings announced in Feb. 2017
Adjusted EBITDA Margin in 2016
Cliffs Compared to Domestic Industry Peers
20%
15%
13%
11%
10%
9%
5%
600%
500%
400%
300%
200%
100%
0
-100%
Billions
$3.5
$3.0
$2.5
$2.0
$1.5
$1.0
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Cliffs
EAF
Steelmaker 1
EAF
Steelmaker 2
Integrated Producer
of Steel and Pellets 1
Integrated
Steelmaker
Leading
Service Center
Integrated Producer
of Steel and Pellets 2
Sources: Cliffs SEC Filings and Bloomberg
4
2017 Board of Directors*
2017 Executive Leadership
LOURENCO GONCALVES
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
JOHN T. BALDWIN
Former Chief Financial Officer
Worthington Industries
ROBERT P. FISHER, JR.
Former Managing Director
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
SUSAN M. GREEN
Former Deputy General Counsel
U. S. Congress Office of Compliance
JOSEPH A. RUTKOWSKI, JR.
Former Executive Vice President
Nucor Corporation
ERIC M. RYCHEL
Executive Vice President, CFO and Treasurer
Aleris Corporation
MICHAEL D. SIEGAL
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Olympic Steel, Inc.
GABRIEL STOLIAR
Former Executive Vice President
Vale SA
DOUGL AS C. TAYLOR
Former Managing Partner
Casablanca Capital LP
5
LOURENCO GONCALVES
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
P. KELLY TOMPKINS**
Executive Vice President &
Chief Operating Officer
TIMOTHY FL ANAGAN**
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
CLIFFORD T. SMITH
Executive Vice President,
Business Development
TERRY G. FEDOR
Executive Vice President,
United States Iron Ore
TERRENCE R. MEE
Executive Vice President,
Global Commercial
JAMES D. GRAHAM
Executive Vice President,
Chief Legal Officer & Secretary
MAURICE D. HARAPIAK
Executive Vice President,
Human Resources
* Standing for Re-election
**Effective Jan. 1, 2017
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For the transition period from to .
Commission File Number: 1-8944
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Ohio
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
200 Public Square, Suite 3300, Cleveland, Ohio
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
34-1464672
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
44114-2315
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (216) 694-5700
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Shares, par value $0.125 per share
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES
NO
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES
NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. YES
NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required
to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES
NO
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will
not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or
any amendment to this Form 10-K.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES
NO
As of June 30, 2016, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing
price of $5.67 per share as reported on the New York Stock Exchange — Composite Index, was $1,068,236,979 (excluded from this figure is the voting stock
beneficially owned by the registrant’s officers and directors).
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common shares, par value $0.125 per share, was 233,074,091 as of February 6, 2017.
Portions of the registrant’s proxy statement for its 2017 annual meeting of shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Number
DEFINITIONS
PART I
Item 1.
Business
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8.
Item 9.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
SIGNATURES
1
4
18
18
31
32
37
38
39
42
45
80
81
157
157
158
159
159
159
159
159
160
161
The following abbreviations or acronyms are used in the text. References in this report to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “Cliffs” are
to Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and subsidiaries, collectively. References to “A$” or “AUD” refer to Australian currency, “C$” to Canadian currency
and “$” to United States currency.
DEFINITIONS
Abbreviation or acronym Term
ABL Facility
AG
Algoma
APBO
ArcelorMittal
Syndicated Facility Agreement by and among Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Australian
Security Trustee, the Lenders that are parties hereto, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., as Parent and a Borrower, and
the Subsidiaries of Parent party hereto, as Borrowers dated as of March 30, 2015, as amended
Autogenous Grinding
Essar Steel Algoma Inc.
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation
ArcelorMittal (as the parent company of ArcelorMittal Mines Canada, ArcelorMittal USA and ArcelorMittal Dofasco
Inc., as well as, many other subsidiaries)
ArcelorMittal USA
ArcelorMittal USA LLC (including many of its United States affiliates, subsidiaries and representatives. References
to ArcelorMittal USA comprise all such relationships unless a specific ArcelorMittal USA entity is referenced)
ALJ
ASC
ASU
BAML
BART
Administrative Law Judge
Accounting Standards Codification
Accounting Standards Updates
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Best Available Retrofit Technology
Bloom Lake
The Bloom Lake Iron Ore Mine Limited Partnership
Bloom Lake Group
Bloom Lake General Partner Limited and certain of its affiliates, including Cliffs Quebec Iron Mining ULC
BNSF
Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC
Canadian Entities
Bloom Lake Group, Wabush Group and certain other wholly-owned subsidiaries
CCAA
CERCLA
CFR
CLCC
Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980
Cost and freight
Cliffs Logan County Coal LLC
Clean Water Act
Federal Water Pollution Control Act
CN
CO2
Codification
CODM
Canadian National Railway Company
Carbon Dioxide
FASB Accounting Standards Codification
Chief Operating Decision Maker
Compensation Committee
Compensation and Organization Committee of Cliffs' Board of Directors
Consent Order
Administrative Order by Consent
CQIM
CSAPR
Directors’ Plan
Dodd-Frank Act
Cliffs Québec Iron Mining ULC (formerly known as Cliffs Québec Iron Mining Limited)
Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2014 Nonemployee Directors’ Compensation Plan
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
DR-grade pellets
Direct Reduction pellets
EAF
EBITDA
Empire
EPA
EPS
ERM
Electric Arc Furnace
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
Empire Iron Mining Partnership
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Earnings per share
Enterprise Risk Management
Exchange Act
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FASB
Fe
FERC
FeT
FIP
FMSH Act
GAAP
GHG
Hibbing
Financial Accounting Standards Board
Iron
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Total Iron
Federal Implementation Plan
U.S. Federal Mine Safety and Health Act 1977, as amended
Accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.
Greenhouse gas
Hibbing Taconite Company, an unincorporated joint venture
1
Abbreviation or acronym Term
Koolyanobbing
Collective term for the operating deposits at Koolyanobbing, Mount Jackson and Windarling
LIBOR
LIFO
LS&I
LTVSMC
MDEQ
MISO
MMBtu
MPCA
MPSC
MPUC
MSHA
Monitor
MWh
NAAQS
NO2
NOx
London Interbank Offered Rate
Last-in, first-out
Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad Company
LTV Steel Mining Company
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.
Million British Thermal Units
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Michigan Public Service Commission
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration
FTI Consulting Canada Inc.
Megawatts per hour
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen oxide
Northshore
Northshore Mining Company
NPDES
NSPS
NYSE
Oak Grove
OPEB
OPEB cap
P&P
PBO
Pinnacle
Platts 62% Price
Preferred Share
ROA
S&P
SEC
SG&A
Seneca
Severstal
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, authorized by the U.S. Clean Water Act
New Source Performance Standards
New York Stock Exchange
Oak Grove Resources, LLC
Other postretirement employment benefits
Medical premium maximums
Proven and Probable
Projected benefit obligation
Pinnacle Mining Company, LLC
Platts IODEX 62% Fe Fines Spot Price
7.00% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A, without par value
Return on asset
Standard & Poor's Rating Services, a division of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Selling, general and administrative
Seneca Coal Resources, LLC
Severstal Dearborn, LLC
Silver Bay Power
Silver Bay Power Company
SIP
SO2
Sonoma
SSR
STRIPS
Tilden
TDR
TMDL
TRIR
TSR
State Implementation Plan
Sulfur dioxide
Sonoma Coal Project
System Support Resource
Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities
Tilden Mining Company L.C.
Troubled Debt Restructuring
Total Maximum Daily Load
Total Reportable Incident Rate
Total Shareholder Return
United Taconite
United Taconite LLC
U.S.
U.S. Steel
USW
VEBA
VWAP
Wabush
United States of America
United States Steel Corporation
United Steelworkers
Voluntary Employee Benefit Association trusts
Volume Weighted Average Price
Wabush Mines Joint Venture
2
Abbreviation or acronym Term
Wabush Group
2012 Equity Plan
2015 Equity Plan
Wabush Iron Co. Limited and Wabush Resources Inc., and certain of their affiliates, including Wabush Mines (an
unincorporated joint venture of Wabush Iron Co. Limited and Wabush Resources Inc.), Arnaud Railway Company
and Wabush Lake Railway Company
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2015 Equity & Incentive Compensation Plan
3
PART I
Item 1.
Business
Introduction
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. is a leading mining and natural resources company. Founded in 1847, we are
recognized as the largest and oldest independent iron ore mining company in the United States. We are a major supplier
of iron ore pellets to the North American steel industry from our mines and pellet plants located in Michigan and Minnesota.
Additionally, we operate an iron ore mining complex in Western Australia. Driven by the core values of safety, social,
environmental and capital stewardship, our employees endeavor to provide all stakeholders with operating and financial
transparency.
We are organized through a global commercial group responsible for sales and delivery of our products and
operations groups responsible for the production of the iron ore that we market. Our continuing operations are organized
according to geographic location: U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore.
In the U.S., we currently own or co-own four operational iron ore mines plus one indefinitely idled mine. We
are currently operating one iron ore mine in Michigan and three iron ore mines in Minnesota. All four mines are currently
operating at or near full capacity. The Empire mine located in Michigan was indefinitely idled beginning on August 3,
2016. We plan to continue shipping Empire's remaining inventory of pellets into 2017. Our Asia Pacific operations
consist solely of our Koolyanobbing iron ore mining complex in Western Australia, which is currently operating at or
near full capacity.
We are Focused on our Core U.S. Iron Ore Business
We are the market-leading iron ore producer in the U.S., supplying differentiated iron ore pellets under long-
term contracts to the largest North American steel producers. We have the unique advantage of being a low cost
producer of iron ore pellets in the U.S. market with significant transportation and logistics advantages to serve the U.S.
steel market effectively. Pricing structures contained in and the long-term supply nature of our existing contracts, along
with our low-cost operating profile, position our U.S. Iron Ore business segment as a strong cash flow generator in most
commodity pricing environments. Since instituting our core strategy of focusing on this business, we have achieved
significant accomplishments including providing volume certainty by signing a new, ten-year supply agreement with our
largest customer, substantially reducing operating costs by making various operational improvements, and developing
alternate iron unit strategies to provide opportunities to enter into the EAF steel production market.
As the implementation of this strategy has strengthened the business, we have put additional emphasis on the
continued improvement of our balance sheet via reduction of long-term debt. Since the 2014 initiation of our transition
strategy, we have reduced the principal of our long-term debt by 21% using various liability management strategies.
Given the cyclical nature of our business, we feel that further reduction of our long-term debt will improve the strength
of our balance sheet and provide us increased financial flexibility to enable us to manage through any commodity
environment, and we continue to seek the best opportunities to accomplish this.
Business Segments
Our Company’s continuing operations are organized and managed according to geographic location: U.S. Iron
Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore.
Segment information reflects our business units, which are organized to meet customer requirements and global
competition. Financial information about our segments, including financial information about geographic areas, is
included in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and NOTE
2 - SEGMENT REPORTING included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K.
4
U.S. Iron Ore
We are a major producer of iron ore pellets, primarily selling production from U.S. Iron Ore to integrated steel
companies in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. We operate four iron ore mines located in Michigan and Minnesota. In
Michigan, we are operating the Tilden mine. In Minnesota, we are operating the Northshore, United Taconite and Hibbing
mines. The Empire mine located in Michigan, which historically had annual rated capacity of 5.5 million long tons, was
indefinitely idled beginning on August 3, 2016. The U.S.-based mines currently have an annual rated capacity of 27.4
million long tons of iron ore pellet production, representing 55% of total U.S. pellet production capacity. Based on our
equity ownership in these mines, our share of the annual rated production capacity is currently 20.0 million long tons,
representing 40% of total U.S. annual pellet capacity.
The following chart summarizes the estimated annual pellet production capacity and percentage of total U.S.
pellet production capacity for each of the respective iron ore producers as of December 31, 2016:
U.S. Iron Ore Pellet
Annual Rated Capacity Tonnage
Current Estimated Capacity
(Tons in Millions)1,2
Percent of Total
U.S. Capacity
All Cliffs’ managed mines
Other U.S. mines
U.S. Steel’s Minnesota ore operations
Minnesota Taconite
Keewatin Taconite
Total U.S. Steel
ArcelorMittal USA Minorca mine
Total other U.S. mines
Total U.S. mines
27.4
14.3
5.4
19.7
2.8
22.5
49.9
54.9%
28.7
10.8
39.5
5.6
45.1
100.0%
1 Tons are long tons (2,240 pounds)
2 Empire mine was excluded from the estimated capacity calculation as it is indefinitely idled
Our U.S. Iron Ore production generally is sold pursuant to long-term supply agreements with various price
adjustment provisions. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we produced a total of 23.4 million long tons of iron
ore pellets, including 2.8 million long tons from our indefinitely-idled Empire mine. The 2016 U.S. Iron Ore production
includes 16.0 million long tons for our account and 7.4 million long tons on behalf of steel company partners of the
mines.
We produce various grades of iron ore pellets, including standard, fluxed and DR-grade, for use in our customers’
operations as part of the steelmaking process. The variation in grades of iron ore pellets results from the specific
chemical and metallurgical properties of the ores at each mine, the end user's steelmaking process and whether or not
fluxstone is added in the process. Although the grade or grades of pellets currently delivered to each customer are
based on that customer’s preferences, which depend in part on the characteristics of the customer’s steelmaking
operation, in many cases our iron ore pellets can be used interchangeably. Standard pellets require less processing,
are generally the least costly pellets to produce and are called “standard” because no ground fluxstone, such as limestone
or dolomite, is added to the iron ore concentrate before turning the concentrate into pellets. In the case of fluxed pellets,
fluxstone is added to the concentrate, which produces pellets that can perform at higher productivity levels in the
customer’s specific blast furnace and will minimize the amount of fluxstone the customer may be required to add to the
blast furnace. DR-grade pellets require processing to make an iron unit that contains higher iron and lower silica content
than a standard pellet. Unlike standard or fluxed pellets, DR-grade pellets are fed into a direct reduced iron facility,
which then are converted as the raw material for an EAF producer.
Additionally, as the EAF steel market continues to grow in the U.S., there is an opportunity for our iron ore to
serve this market by providing pellets to the alternative metallics market to produce direct reduced iron, hot briquetted
iron and/or pig iron. In 2016 and 2015, we produced and shipped industrial trials of low silica DR-grade pellets, which
were successfully processed in a customer's EAF to obtain a high-quality direct reduced iron product. While we are
still in the early stages of developing our alternative metallics business, we believe this will open up a new opportunity
5
for us to diversify our product mix and add new customers to our U.S. Iron Ore segment beyond the traditional blast
furnace clientele.
Each of our U.S. Iron Ore mines is located near the Great Lakes. The majority of our iron ore pellets are
transported via railroads to loading ports for shipment via vessel to steelmakers in North America.
Our U.S. Iron Ore sales are influenced by seasonal factors in the first half of the year as shipments and sales
are restricted by the Army Corp of Engineers due to closure of the Soo Locks and the Welland Canal on the Great Lakes
because of winter weather. During the first quarter, we continue to produce our products, but we cannot ship most of
those products via lake vessel until the conditions on the Great Lakes are navigable, which causes our first and second
quarter inventory levels to rise. Our limited practice of shipping product to ports on the lower Great Lakes or to customers’
facilities prior to the transfer of title has somewhat mitigated the seasonal effect on first and second quarter inventories
and sales, as shipment from this point to the customers’ operations is not limited by weather-related shipping constraints.
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had approximately 1.5 million and 1.3 million long tons of pellets, respectively, in
inventory at lower lakes or customers’ facilities.
U.S. Iron Ore Customers
Our U.S. Iron Ore revenues primarily are derived from sales of iron ore pellets to the North American integrated
steel industry, consisting primarily of three major customers. Generally, we have multi-year supply agreements with
our customers. Sales volume under these agreements largely is dependent on customer requirements, and in certain
cases, we are the sole supplier of iron ore to the customer. Historically, each agreement has contained a base price
that is adjusted annually using one or more adjustment factors. Factors that could result in a price adjustment include
spot iron ore pricing, measures of general industrial inflation and steel prices.
During 2016, 2015 and 2014, we sold 18.2 million, 17.3 million and 21.8 million long tons of iron ore product,
respectively, from our share of the production from our U.S. Iron Ore mines. Refer to Concentration of Customers below
for additional information regarding our major customers.
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Our Asia Pacific Iron Ore operations are located in Western Australia and consist solely of our wholly owned
Koolyanobbing operation.
The Koolyanobbing operations serve the Asian iron ore markets with direct-shipped fines and lump ore. The
lump products are fed directly to blast furnaces, while the fines products are used as sinter feed. The variation in the
two export product grades reflects the inherent chemical and physical characteristics of the ore bodies mined as well
as the supply requirements of our customers. During 2016, 2015 and 2014, we produced 11.8 million, 11.7 million and
11.4 million metric tons, respectively.
Koolyanobbing is a collective term for the ore deposits at Koolyanobbing, Mount Jackson and Windarling. There
are approximately 70 miles separating the three mining areas. Banded iron formations host the mineralization, which
is predominately hematite and goethite. Each deposit is characterized with different chemical and physical attributes
and, in order to achieve customer product quality, ore in varying quantities from each deposit must be blended together.
Crushing and blending are undertaken at Koolyanobbing, where the crushing and screening plant is located.
Once the blended ore has been crushed and screened into a direct lump and fines shipping product, it is transported
by rail approximately 360 miles south to the Port of Esperance, via Kalgoorlie, for shipment to our customers in Asia.
Asia Pacific Iron Ore Customers
Asia Pacific Iron Ore’s production is under contract with steel companies primarily in China, Japan and South
Korea. In March 2015, we extended the majority of our supply agreements with steel producers in China for two years.
These contracts will currently expire in March 2017, but we anticipate that the majority of these contracts will be renewed
for an additional 12 months. Our supply agreement with our client in South Korea was recently extended and will expire
in December 2017. Our supply agreements with our customers in Japan currently expire in March 2017, but we anticipate
these contracts also will be renewed for an additional 12 months. Pricing for our Asia Pacific Iron Ore Chinese customers
consists of shorter-term pricing mechanisms of various durations up to three months based on the average of daily spot
prices that are generally associated with the time of unloading of each shipment. Pricing with our Japanese and South
Korean customers is generally consistent with the inputs used with our Chinese customers, but the pricing inputs are
fixed before shipment.
6
During 2016, 2015 and 2014, we sold 11.6 million, 11.6 million and 11.5 million metric tons of iron ore, respectively,
from our Western Australia mines. No Asia Pacific Iron Ore customer comprised more than 10% of Cliffs consolidated
sales in 2016, 2015 or 2014. The segment’s five largest customers together accounted for a total of 56%, 47% and
38% of Asia Pacific Iron Ore product revenues for the years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Discontinued Operations
North American Coal
Throughout the majority of 2015, we owned and operated two low-volatile metallurgical coal operations located
in Alabama and West Virginia. These low-volatile metallurgical coal operations had a rated capacity of 6.5 million short
tons of production annually. On December 22, 2015, we sold these two low-volatile metallurgical coal operations,
Pinnacle mine and Oak Grove mine, marking our exit from the coal business. Historically, we sold 4.6 million short tons
in 2015 and 7.4 million short tons in 2014. On December 31, 2014, we sold our CLCC assets, which consisted of two
high-volatile metallurgical coal mines and a thermal coal mine. Sales tons at the CLCC operations were 2.4 million
short tons for the year ended December 31, 2014, and is included in the sales tons disclosed above.
As of March 31, 2015, management determined that our North American Coal operating segment met the
criteria to be classified as held for sale under ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements. As such, all current and
historical North American Coal operating segment results are included in our financial statements and classified within
discontinued operations. Refer to NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS for further discussion of the North
American Coal segment discontinued operations.
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore
Prior to late March 2014, we operated two iron ore mines in Eastern Canada, the Bloom Lake mine and the
Wabush Scully mine. In late March 2014, we idled our Wabush Scully mine in Newfoundland and Labrador and in
November 2014, we began to implement the permanent closure plan for the mine. The idle and ultimate closure was
driven by the unsustainable high-cost structure. In January 2015, we ceased active production at the Bloom Lake mine
and the mine transitioned to "care-and-maintenance" mode. Together, the shutdown of the Wabush Scully mine and
the cessation of operations at our Bloom Lake mine represented a complete curtailment of our Eastern Canadian Iron
Ore operations.
During 2014, we sold 7.2 million metric tons of iron ore concentrate and pellets, from our Eastern Canadian
Iron Ore mines.
As more fully described in NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, in January 2015, we announced that
the Bloom Lake Group commenced restructuring proceedings under the CCAA in Montreal, Quebec. Additionally, on
May 20, 2015, the Wabush Group commenced restructuring proceedings under the CCAA in Montreal, Quebec and
the CCAA protections granted to the Bloom Lake Group were extended to include the Wabush Group to facilitate the
reorganization of each of their businesses and operations. Following each respective CCAA filing we deconsolidated
the Bloom Lake Group and certain other wholly-owned subsidiaries and the Wabush Group entities, comprising
substantially all of our Canadian operations. Financial results prior to the respective deconsolidations of the Bloom
Lake and Wabush Groups and subsequent expenses directly associated with the Canadian Entities are included in our
financial statements and classified within discontinued operations. Port and rail assets and the Bloom Lake mine were
sold during 2016 under the CCAA proceedings. Refer to NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS for further
discussion of the Eastern Canadian Iron Ore segment discontinued operations and the status of the CCAA proceedings.
Unless otherwise noted, discussion of our business and results of operations in this Annual Report on Form
10-K refers to our continuing operations.
Applied Technology, Research and Development
We have been a leader in iron ore mining and process technology since inception and have been in operation
for 170 years. We operated some of the first mines on Michigan’s Marquette Iron Range and pioneered early open-pit
and underground mining methods. From the first application of electrical power in Michigan’s underground mines to
the use of today’s sophisticated computers and global positioning satellite systems, we have been a leader in the
application of new technology to the centuries-old business of mineral extraction. Today, our engineering and technical
staffs are engaged in full-time technical support of our operations, improvement of existing products and development
of new products.
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We are a pioneer in iron ore pelletizing with over 60 years of experience. We are able to produce customized
pellets to meet each customer’s blast furnace specifications, and produce both standard and fluxed pellets. Using our
technical expertise and strong market position in the United States to increase our product offering, we have been
working on producing DR-grade pellets. In 2016 and 2015, we produced and shipped industrial trials of low silica DR-
grade pellets, which were successfully processed in a customer's EAF to obtain a high-quality direct reduced iron
product.
With our experienced technical professionals and unsurpassed reputation for our pelletizing technology, we
continue to deliver a world-class quality product to our customers. We are a pioneer in the development of emerging
reduction technologies, a leader in the extraction of value from challenging resources and a front runner in the
implementation of safe and sustainable technology. Our technical experts are dedicated to excellence and deliver
superior technical solutions tailored to our customer base.
Concentration of Customers
In 2016, two customers individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated product revenue and in
2015 and 2014 three customers individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated product revenue. Product
revenue from those customers represented in the chart below totaled $1.1 billion, $1.3 billion and $1.9 billion of our
total consolidated product revenue in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is attributable to our U.S. Iron Ore business
segment. The following represents sales revenue from each of these customers as a percentage of our total consolidated
product revenue, as well as the portion of product sales for U.S. Iron Ore that is attributable to each of these customers
in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively:
Customer1
ArcelorMittal
AK Steel2
Algoma3
Percentage of Total
Product Revenue
2015
2014
2016
Percentage of U.S. Iron Ore
Product Revenue
2015
2014
2016
37%
19%
4%
37%
21%
12%
29%
20%
13%
51%
27%
5%
49%
29%
15%
40%
28%
18%
1 Includes subsidiaries.
2 Effective September 16, 2014, AK Steel completed the acquisition of Severstal North America's integrated
steelmaking assets located in Dearborn, Michigan. For comparative purposes, we have combined historical data for
all periods presented.
3 On October 5, 2015, we terminated the long-term agreement with Algoma; however, we entered into certain short-
term contracts with Algoma throughout 2016. On May 16, 2016, we reinstated our agreement with Algoma, which
took effect in January 2017.
ArcelorMittal
Our pellet supply agreements with ArcelorMittal USA are the basis for supplying pellets to ArcelorMittal USA,
which are based on customer requirements, except for the Indiana Harbor East facility, which is based on customer
contract obligations. The legacy agreements with ArcelorMittal USA were set to expire at the end of December 2016
and January 2017. The parties executed a new long-term agreement, which became effective October 31, 2016, for
the sale and delivery of ArcelorMittal USA’s annual tonnage requirements which fall within a specific range of volume
(“AM Pellet Sale Agreement”). The AM Pellet Sale Agreement expires at the end of December 2026.
ArcelorMittal USA is a 62.3% equity participant in Hibbing and a 21.0% equity partner in Empire with limited
rights and obligations.
In 2016, 2015 and 2014, our U.S. Iron Ore pellet sales to ArcelorMittal were 9.7 million, 9.7 million and 10.2 million
long tons, respectively.
AK Steel
On September 16, 2014, AK Steel announced an acquisition of Severstal North America’s integrated steelmaking
assets located in Dearborn, Michigan. We had a long-term relationship to supply iron ore pellets to that location. Upon
consummation of the acquisition, the contract was automatically assigned to AK Steel. The combination of sales pursuant
to our pre-existing sales agreement with AK Steel and the acquisition of the Dearborn facility with its sales agreement
accounts for more than 10% of our consolidated product revenue in 2016, 2015 and 2014.
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On August 29, 2013, we entered into a new agreement with AK Steel to provide iron ore pellets to AK Steel for
use in its Middletown, Ohio and Ashland, Kentucky blast furnace facilities. This contract includes minimum and maximum
tonnage requirements for each year between 2014 and 2023.
Under the original agreement entered into with Severstal in 2006, we supply all of the Dearborn, Michigan
facility’s blast furnace pellet requirements through 2022, subject to specified minimum and maximum requirements in
certain years. AK Steel was the successor by merger of this contract and it remains in force. In September 2014, we
entered into an amendment to the Dearborn contract with AK Steel to document the 2013 base pricing provisions,
among other things, which resulted from an arbitration ruling in May 2014.
In 2016, 2015 and 2014, our U.S. Iron Ore pellet sales to AK Steel and the acquired Dearborn facility were 4.5
million, 4.3 million and 5.8 million long tons, respectively.
Algoma
Algoma is a Canadian steelmaker and a subsidiary of Essar Steel Holdings Limited. We have a long-term
supply agreement under which we were Algoma’s sole supplier of iron ore pellets through the end of 2016 and are
required to deliver a set tonnage for less than Algoma’s entire requirements through 2024. There were multiple contract
disputes that led to us filing a complaint in the Federal District Court in the Northern District of Ohio on January 12,
2015. During the litigation process, we asserted additional claims of material breach as a result of Algoma’s actions
during 2015.
Cliffs and Algoma settled the dispute after Algoma filed for CCAA protection in the Canadian Superior Court of
Ontario. Under the terms of the settlement, Algoma has agreed to assume the long-term supply agreement, and has
entered into a separate agreement to purchase additional tonnage from Cliffs beginning 2017 through and including
December 2020.
In 2016, 2015 and 2014, our U.S. Iron Ore pellet sales to Algoma were 1.2 million, 2.5 million and 3.5 million
long tons, respectively.
Competition
Throughout the world, we compete with major and junior mining companies, as well as steel companies, both
of which produce steelmaking raw materials, including iron ore.
North America
In our U.S. Iron Ore business segment, we primarily sell our product to steel producers with operations in North
America. We compete directly with steel companies that own interests in iron ore mines in the United States and/or
Canada, including ArcelorMittal and U.S. Steel, and with major iron ore pellet exporters from Eastern Canada and Brazil.
In 2016, finished steel import market share was 26% in the U.S., down from 29% in 2015. As a result, steel prices in
North America improved, driving more demand for iron ore pellets.
A number of factors beyond our control affect the markets in which we sell our iron ore. Continued demand for
our iron ore and the prices obtained by us primarily depend on the consumption patterns of the steel industry in the
U.S., China and elsewhere around the world, as well as the availability, location, cost of transportation and competing
prices.
Asia Pacific
In our Asia Pacific Iron Ore business segment, we export iron ore products to the Asia Pacific markets, including
China, Japan, and South Korea. In the Asia Pacific marketplace, we compete with major iron ore exporters primarily
from Australia and Brazil. These include BHP Billiton, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd., Rio Tinto plc and Vale SA, among
others.
Competition in steelmaking raw materials is predicated upon the usual competitive factors of price, availability
of supply, product quality and performance, service and transportation cost to the consumer of the raw materials.
Environment
Our mining activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment.
We conduct our operations in a manner that is protective of public health and the environment and believe our operations
are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects.
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Environmental issues and their management continued to be an important focus at each of our operations
throughout 2016. In the construction of our facilities and in their operation, substantial costs have been incurred and
will continue to be incurred to avoid undue effect on the environment. Our capital expenditures relating to environmental
matters totaled approximately $15 million, $17 million and $33 million, in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Approximately $5 million and $3 million of the 2015 and 2014 capital expenditures, respectively, relating to environmental
matters was attributable to the North American Coal operations that were sold during December 2015. Additionally,
approximately $22 million of the 2014 capital expenditures relating to environmental matters was attributable to the
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore operations, which are classified within discontinued operations. It is estimated that capital
expenditures for environmental improvements will total approximately $25 million in 2017, which is related to our U.S.
Iron Ore operations for selenium management and various water treatment, air quality, dust control, tailings management
and other miscellaneous environmental projects.
Regulatory Developments
Various governmental bodies continually promulgate new or amended laws and regulations that affect our
Company, our customers and our suppliers in many areas, including waste discharge and disposal, the classification
of materials and products, air and water discharges and many other environmental, health and safety matters. Although
we believe that our environmental policies and practices are sound and do not expect that the application of any current
laws or regulations reasonably would be expected to result in a material adverse effect on our business or financial
condition, we cannot predict the collective adverse impact of the expanding body of laws and regulations.
Specifically, there are several notable proposed or potential rulemakings or activities that could have a material
adverse impact on our facilities in the future depending on their ultimate outcome: Climate Change and GHG Regulation;
Regional Haze, NO2 and SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standards; Cross State Air Pollution Rule, increased
administrative and legislative initiatives related to financial assurance obligations for CERCLA, mining and reclamation
obligations; Minnesota's Mercury TMDL and associated rules governing mercury air emission reductions; evolving water
quality standards for selenium, sulfate and conductivity; and scope of the Clean Water Act and the definition of “Waters
of the United States”.
Climate Change and GHG Regulation
With the complexities and uncertainties associated with the U.S. and global navigation of the climate change
issue as a whole, one of our significant risks for the future is mandatory carbon pricing obligations. Policymakers are
in the design process of carbon regulation at the state, regional, national and international levels. The current regulatory
patchwork of carbon compliance schemes presents a challenge for multi-facility entities to identify their near-term risks.
Amplifying the uncertainty, the dynamic forward outlook for carbon pricing obligations presents a challenge to large
industrial companies to assess the long-term net impacts of carbon compliance costs on their operations. Our exposure
on this issue includes both the direct and indirect financial risks associated with the regulation of GHG emissions, as
well as potential physical risks associated with climate change. We are continuing to review the physical risks related
to climate change utilizing our formal ERM process. As an energy-intensive business, our GHG emissions inventory
includes a broad range of emissions sources, such as iron ore furnaces and kilns, diesel mining equipment and our
wholly owned Silver Bay power generation plant, among others. As such, our most significant regulatory risks are:
(1) the costs associated with on-site emissions levels (direct impacts), and (2) indirect costs passed through to us from
power generators and distillate fuel suppliers (indirect impacts).
Internationally, mechanisms to reduce emissions are being implemented in various countries, with differing
designs and stringency, according to resources, economic structure and politics. We expect that momentum to extend
carbon regulation will continue with implementation of the Paris climate agreement that was adopted in 2015, the aim
of which is to keep the increase in global average temperature to below two degrees Celsius. Continued political
attention to issues concerning climate change, the role of human activity in it and potential mitigation through regulation
may have a material impact on our customer base, operations and financial results in the future.
In the U.S., federal carbon regulation potentially presents a significantly greater impact to our operations. To
date, the U.S. Congress has not legislated carbon constraints. In the absence of comprehensive federal carbon
legislation, numerous state, regional, and federal regulatory initiatives are under development or are becoming effective,
thereby creating a disjointed approach to carbon control. In May 2010, the EPA promulgated the GHG Tailoring Rule
establishing a mechanism for regulating GHG emissions from facilities through the Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) permitting program under the Clean Air Act. Under the GHG Tailoring Rule, as modified by a 2014 U.S. Supreme
Court decision upholding some components of the rule, new projects that increase GHG emissions by a significant
amount (generally more than 75,000 long tons of CO2 emissions per year) are subject to the PSD requirements, including
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the installation of best available control technology, if the project also significantly increases emissions of at least one
non-GHG regulated criteria pollutant. We do not expect the Tailoring Rule provision to have a material adverse effect
on our business in the near term and we cannot reliably estimate the long-term impact of the regulation.
In June 2013, President Obama issued a memorandum directing EPA to develop carbon emission standards
for both new and existing power plants under the Clean Air Act's NSPS. In October 2015, EPA promulgated the "Clean
Power Plan" which consists of NSPS regulating carbon dioxide from existing power plants at a level of approximately
32% below 2005 levels by 2030. The Clean Power Plan directed states to submit SIPs to EPA by September 2016,
but a U.S. Supreme Court stay of the rule in February 2016, deferred submittal of SIPs indefinitely. The Clean Power
Plan does not regulate combined head and power generating facilities such as at Northshore's Silver Bay Power. We
anticipate that EPA will continue to work on additional GHG NSPS regulations for other industrial categories, including
the iron and steel industry; however we cannot reliably estimate the timing or long-term impact of future NSPS regulations.
Due to the EPA's Tailoring Rule and GHG NSPS regulations, our business and customer base could suffer
negative financial impacts over time as a result of increased energy, environmental and other costs to comply with the
limitations that would be imposed on greenhouse gas emissions. We believe our exposure can be reduced substantially
by numerous factors, including currently contemplated regulatory flexibility mechanisms, such as allowance allocations,
fixed process emissions exemptions, offsets and international provisions; emissions reduction opportunities, including
energy efficiency, biofuels, fuel flexibility, emerging shale gas, coal mine methane offset reduction; and business
opportunities associated with pursuing combined heat and power partnerships and new products, including DR-grade
pellets, fluxed pellets and other efficiency-improving technologies.
We have worked proactively to develop a comprehensive, enterprise-wide GHG management strategy aimed
at considering all significant aspects associated with GHG initiatives to plan effectively for and manage climate change
issues, including risks and opportunities as they relate to the environment; stakeholders, including shareholders and
the public; legislative and regulatory developments; operations; products and markets.
Regional Haze
In June 2005, the EPA finalized amendments to its regional haze rules. The rules require states to establish
goals and emission reduction strategies for improving visibility in all Class I national parks and wilderness areas. Among
the states with Class I areas are Michigan and Minnesota in which we currently own and manage mining operations.
The first phase of the regional haze rule (2008-2018) requires analysis and installation of BART on eligible emission
sources and incorporation of BART and associated emission limits into SIPs.
In place of Minnesota's and Michigan's Regional Haze SIP for taconite furnaces, the EPA promulgated a Taconite
Regional Haze FIP in February 2013. We, along with other stakeholders, petitioned the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
for a review of the FIP, and in May 2013, we filed a joint motion for stay of the 2013 FIP, which was granted in June
2013. We, along with the other stakeholders, reached a settlement agreement with EPA to resolve certain items in the
2013 FIP. The settlement agreement, which was published in the Federal Register in January 2015 and fully executed
in April 2015, prompted EPA to grant partial reconsideration of the 2013 FIP in July 2015. Subsequently, EPA published
a FIP revision final rule to implement components of the settlement agreement in April 2016, with an effective date of
May 12, 2016. We believe the 2016 Regional Haze FIP reflects progress toward a more technically and economically
feasible regional haze implementation plan. In November 2016, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals terminated the June
2013 stay and extended the deadlines in the original 2013 FIP by one day for each day the court's stay was in place.
Cost estimates associated with implementation of the 2013 and 2016 FIPs are reflected in our five-year capital plan.
Due to inconsistencies in language describing the procedures for calculating NOx emission limits between the
settlement agreement and the 2016 FIP final rule, we jointly filed a Petition for Reconsideration and Petition for Judicial
Review in June 2016. We have been working toward a settlement agreement with EPA to resolve the outstanding issue
with the emission limit calculation method and anticipate resolution of the issue in 2017.
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NO2 and SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standards
During the first half of 2010, the EPA promulgated rules that required each state to use a combination of air
quality monitoring and computer modeling to determine each state's attainment classification status against new NO2
and SO2 NAAQS. During the third quarter of 2011, the EPA issued guidance to the regulated community on conducting
refined air quality dispersion modeling and implementing the new NO2 and SO2 standards. In 2012, Minnesota issued
Administrative Orders requiring taconite facilities to conduct modeling to demonstrate compliance with the NO2 and
SO2 NAAQS pursuant to the Taconite Regional Haze SIP Long Term Strategy (LTS). Compliance with the LTS modeling
demonstrations was originally set for June 30, 2017. Minnesota is expected to remove NAAQS modeling obligations
under the LTS in light of reduction in haze emissions associated with the pending amendment of the taconite Regional
Haze FIP regulations.
All of our operations in Minnesota and Michigan are expected to be in attainment for NO2 and SO2 NAAQS
without incurring additional capital investment. While we will continue to monitor these developments and assess
potential impacts to Cliffs, we do not anticipate further capital investments will be necessary to address NO2 and SO2
NAAQS requirements.
Cross State Air Pollution Rule
In July 2011, the EPA promulgated the CSAPR, which was intended to address interstate transport of regional
haze causing pollutants (NOx and SO2) via emission limits and trading mechanisms. Northshore's Silver Bay Power
plant is subject to CSAPR. Complying with CSAPR simultaneously satisfies related regional haze BART obligations
because EPA has determined that CSAPR yields greater progress toward attaining EPA's regional haze goals than
would application of BART. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals re-affirmed that EPA's use of CSAPR is equal to or
better than BART in its March 2016 decision. Silver Bay Power's CSAPR compliance obligations are met via a
combination of fuel management, installation of lower NOx burners, and purchase of NOx and SO2 allowances from
the emission trading market. NOx and SO2 allowance prices continue to decline and the estimated cost to purchase
NOx and SO2 allowances currently is less than $5,000.
Future NOx and SO2 emission allowances allocated to Silver Bay Power will decrease and long-term allowance
prices are expected to increase. We continue to monitor the availability and pricing of CSAPR allowances and future
EPA allocations of CSAPR allowances to our Silver Bay Power plant, but at this time, we do not anticipate exposure to
material costs for future CSAPR obligations. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate the long-term cost impact of
CSAPR should EPA significantly reduce overall allowance allocations in response to future lower ozone or particulate
matter 2.5 regulations.
Mercury TMDL and Minnesota Taconite Mercury Reduction Strategy
TMDL regulations are contained in the Clean Water Act. As a part of Minnesota's Mercury TMDL Implementation
Plan, in cooperation with the MPCA, the taconite industry developed a Taconite Mercury Reduction Strategy and signed
a voluntary agreement in 2009 to effectuate its terms. The strategy includes a 75% target reduction of mercury air
emissions from Minnesota pellet plants collectively by 2025. It recognizes that mercury emission control technology
currently does not exist and will be pursued through a research effort. According to the voluntary agreement, any
developed technology must meet the “adaptive management criteria” such that the technology must be economically
feasible, must not impact pellet quality, and must not cause excessive corrosion in pellet furnaces, associated duct work
and existing wet scrubbers on the furnaces.
According to the voluntary agreement, the mines proceeded with medium- and long-term testing of possible
technologies. For us, the requirements in the voluntary agreement apply to the United Taconite and Hibbing facilities.
At this time, we are unable to predict the potential impacts of the voluntary Taconite Mercury Reduction Strategy.
However, a number of research projects were conducted between 2011 and 2014 as the industry continued to assess
options for reduction. While injection of powdered activated carbon into furnace off-gasses for mercury capture in the
wet scrubbers showed positive initial results, further testing during 2013 yielded lower overall potential. Alternate
technologies are presently being assessed in our ongoing efforts to develop cost effective mercury reduction technologies
for our indurating furnaces.
In September 2014, Minnesota promulgated the Mercury Air Emissions Reporting and Reduction Rule
mandating mercury air emissions reporting and reduction. The adopted rule expanded applicability to all of our Minnesota
operations and requires submitting a mercury reduction plan in 2018 to reduce mercury emissions from all of our
Minnesota taconite furnaces by 72% by January 2025. The adopted rule does not include explicitly all four Adaptive
12
Management Criteria for evaluating mercury reduction, which were agreed upon in the October 2009 Minnesota’s
Mercury TMDL Implementation Plan.
To date, there is currently no proven technology to cost effectively reduce mercury emissions from taconite
furnaces to the target level of 72% that would meet all four Adaptive Management Criteria. We remain concerned about
the technical and economic feasibility to reduce taconite mercury emissions by 72% without impacting existing operations
or other environmental permit obligations and are conducting detailed engineering analysis to determine the impact of
the regulations on each unique iron ore indurating furnace affected by this rule. The results of this analysis will guide
further dialog with the MPCA regarding our implementation of the requirements. Because development of the technology
is in the early stages, any impacts to us are not estimable at this time.
Selenium Discharge Regulation
In Michigan, Empire and Tilden have developed compliance strategies to manage selenium according to the
permit conditions. Empire and Tilden submitted the first permit required Selenium Storm Water Management Plan to
the MDEQ in December 2011, and have updated it annually as required. The Selenium Storm Water Management
Plans have outlined the activities that will be undertaken to address selenium in storm water discharges from our
Michigan operations including an assessment of potential impacts to surface and groundwater. The remaining budget
for full scale implementation of the storm water collection and conveyance system by November 2017 is approximately
$9 million. A storm water treatment system for both facilities is anticipated sometime before 2028. The cost of the
future treatment systems could be significant, although we are continuing to assess and develop cost effective and
sustainable treatment technologies.
Tilden's NPDES permit contains a compliance schedule for selenium with a limit of five µg/l that will be effective
as of November 1, 2017, at Tilden's Gribben Tailings Basin outfall. Tilden has budgeted $7 million for 2017 for
infrastructure necessary to meet the selenium effluent limit. In July 2016, the EPA published new selenium fish tissue
limits and lower lentic and lotic water column concentration criteria, which may someday increase the cost for treatment
should MDEQ adopt these new standards in lieu of the existing limits established under the Great Lakes Initiative.
Accordingly, we cannot reasonably estimate the timing or long-term impact of the water quality criteria to our business.
Definition of “Waters of the United States” Under the Clean Water Act
In June 2015, the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers promulgated the rule, “Definition of ‘Waters of the United
States’ Under the Clean Water Act,” which attempted to add clarity to which waters are jurisdictional under the federal
Clean Water Act, and will apply to all Clean Water Act programs, including certain permitting programs, spill prevention
program and a state certification process. It is unclear how the federal and state agencies will implement and enforce
the final rule, and how the courts will interpret it going forward. The regulation may expand EPA’s authority under the
Clean Water Act to many traditionally unregulated mine features such as mine pits, pit lakes, on site ditches, water
retention structures, and tailings basins creating a new burden on our U.S. facilities. This could be further interpreted
to add questionable regulatory authority over the groundwater connections between these features and nearby
traditionally navigable waters. In October 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a nationwide stay
of this rule while the jurisdiction and legality of the rule are decided in court. In January 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court
granted certiorari to reconsider the Sixth Circuit's decision that it has jurisdiction to hear challenges. We are actively
participating in the rulemaking development and assessing the potential impacts to our operations. Because the rule
is being litigated, and until the rule is finally implemented, any impacts to us are not estimable at this time.
Minnesota’s Proposed Sulfate Wild Rice Water Quality Standard
The Minnesota Legislature provided $1.5 million in 2011 for a study to gather additional information about the
effects of sulfate and other substances on the growth of wild rice, and to support an update to the sulfate wild rice water
quality standard originally adopted in 1973 by the MPCA. The MPCA contracted with the University of Minnesota to
conduct several research projects as part of this study. Concurrently, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce contracted
an independent lab to conduct companion research on the impacts of sulfate on wild rice. In July 2016, MPCA released
a draft proposal for protecting wild rice from sulfate, which included a draft sulfate wild rice water quality standard, a
draft list of waters where the standard would apply, and criteria for adding waters to that list. The draft wild rice water
quality standard is an equation that utilizes measured sediment parameters to calculate a sulfate limit protective of wild
rice. The independent research conducted by the independent lab contracted by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
does not directly support the validity of the MPCA’s proposed approach. The rulemaking has a legislated deadline for
completion of January 15, 2018. Due to the proposed standard being based on measured sediment parameters and
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uncertainty regarding to which waters the standard will apply, the impacts of the proposed wild rice water quality standard
to Cliffs are not estimable at this time.
Conductivity
Conductivity, the measurement of water’s ability to conduct electricity, is a surrogate parameter that generally
increases as the amount of dissolved minerals in water increases. In 2011, the EPA issued A Field-Based Aquatic Life
Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams, which established a recommended conductivity benchmark
of 300 µS/cm for the region. The issuance of a benchmark outside of the established rulemaking process was
subsequently the subject of litigation in 2012 where the court ruled the benchmark is nothing more than a non-binding
suggestion. Three years later in Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, et al. v. Elk Run Coal Co., et al., 3:12-cv-00785
(S.D. W. Va.), a judicial decision held that levels of conductivity higher than the EPA’s benchmark constituted a violation
of the state’s narrative water quality standards, were unsupported by science and contrary to decisions previously made
by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the West Virginia Supreme Court. In 2015, a group
filed a petition with EPA Region 5 alleging that Minnesota was failing to implement properly the state NPDES program,
and one of the various allegations asserts that MPCA should be assessing compliance with the state’s narrative water
quality standard against the EPA’s conductivity benchmark for the Central Appalachian region. On December 30, 2015,
the EPA provided MPCA a draft of the Protocol for Responding to Issues Related to Permitting and Enforcement which
indicates that EPA staff will be reviewing available scientific basis in peer reviewed literature as well as promulgated
standards. In February 2016, EPA's Office of Research and Development endorsed use of the Field-Based Conductivity
Benchmark in northeast Minnesota indicating that a value of 320 µS/cm was appropriate to protect aquatic life. On
December 23, 2016, EPA issued a notice soliciting public comments on its draft document, Field-Based Methods for
Developing Aquatic Life Criteria for Specific Conductivity (SC). According to EPA, once this document is final, states
and authorized tribes located in any region of the country may use the methods to develop field-based SC criteria for
adoption into water quality standards. Adoption of this methodology is not certain due to significant concerns with
respect to the scientific validity of the proposed method which is now under intense review by scientists working for
various trade associations. Because the outcome of the Region 5 Petition and proposed Field-Based Methods for
Developing Aquatic Life Criteria for Specific Conductivity is only draft guidance at this time, the exact nature and certainty
of the potential risk to Cliffs cannot be predicted; however, direct application of the 320 µS/cm benchmark to Cliffs’
Minnesota-based assets may have a material adverse impact if the conductivity benchmark is applied to our NPDES
permits.
CERCLA 108(b)
In December 2016, EPA published a proposed amendment to CERCLA section 108(b) which is focused on
developing financial assurance for managing hazardous substances in the hardrock mining industry. The proposed
rule will undergo a comment period and EPA has a court-mandated deadline for publication of the final rule by December
1, 2017. The rule requires subject facilities to calculate their level of financial responsibility based on a formula included
in the rule, secure an instrument or otherwise self-assure for the calculated amount, demonstrate to EPA the proof of
the security, and maintain the security until EPA releases facilities from the CERCLA 108(b) regulations. The iron mining
industry is aware of several errors upon which EPA drafted the rule, including a mistaken reliance on reporting data
from a wholly different industry sector (iron and steel toxic release inventory reporting). We will participate in industry-
wide comments that address this and other errors and seek to exempt iron ore mining from CERCLA 108(b) applicability.
With only a draft rule at this time, the final impacts of this rule to Cliffs are unknown; however, an obligation to secure
and maintain financial assurance across all of our U.S. Iron Ore facilities could have a material adverse impact to our
business.
Energy
Electricity
As of February 1, 2015, Wisconsin Electric Power Company is the sole supplier of electric power to our Tilden
mine. As of April 24, 2015, the Tilden mine executed a special electricity contract with Wisconsin Electric Power Company.
The term of the contract is through 2019. Wisconsin Electric Power Company provides 170 megawatts of electricity to
Tilden at special rates that are regulated by the MPSC. The pricing under these contracts is generally fixed except
Tilden is subject to frequent changes in Wisconsin Electric Power Company's power supply adjustment factor. On
August 12, 2016, Tilden executed a new 20-year special contract with Wisconsin Electric that is anticipated to start on
January 1, 2020. This special contract is still pending approval at the MPSC. Tilden and Empire may also incur additional
liabilities depending on the outcome of various proceedings concerning MISO's revised cost allocation methodology
for continued operation of the Presque Isle Power Plant in Michigan. If FERC were to decide to award SSR costs based
14
on a revised cost allocation methodology applied retroactively, this could result in a substantial potential liability to our
Tilden mine and our indefinitely-idled Empire mine. As of December 31, 2016, this potential liability of $13.6 million is
included in our Statements of Consolidated Financial Position as part of Other current liabilities. Refer to NOTE 20 -
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES for further discussion of the Michigan Electricity Matters.
Minnesota Power supplies electric power to the Hibbing and United Taconite mines. On September 16, 2008,
Hibbing finalized an agreement with terms from November 1, 2008 through December 31, 2015. The agreement was
approved by the MPUC in 2009. The terms of the agreement included an automatic five-year extension that began
January 1, 2016. The United Taconite mine executed a new ten-year agreement with Minnesota Power that also included
the Babbitt Mine. This agreement was finalized on May 22, 2016 and was approved by the MPUC on November 9,
2016.
Silver Bay Power, a wholly owned subsidiary of ours with a 115 megawatt power plant, provides the majority
of Northshore’s electrical energy requirements. Silver Bay Power has an interconnection agreement with Minnesota
Power for backup power when excess generation is necessary. On May 22, 2016, Silver Bay Power entered into an
agreement with Minnesota Power to purchase roughly half of Northshore's electricity needs from Minnesota Power
through 2019. On January 1, 2020, Silver Bay Power will purchase 100% of the electricity requirements of Northshore
from Minnesota Power and Silver Bay Power plans to idle both of its generating units except under certain circumstances.
Koolyanobbing and its associated satellite mine deposits draw power from independent diesel-fueled power
stations and generators. Diesel power generation capacity has been installed at the Koolyanobbing operations.
Process and Diesel Fuel
We have a long-term contract providing for the transport of natural gas on the Northern Natural Gas Pipeline
for our U.S. Iron Ore operations. The Tilden mine has the capability of burning natural gas, coal or, to a lesser extent,
oil. The Hibbing and Northshore mines have the capability to burn natural gas and oil. The United Taconite mine has
the ability to burn coal, natural gas and petroleum coke. Consistent with 2016, we expect during 2017 our U.S. Iron
Ore operations will utilize both natural gas and coal to heat furnaces and produce power at our Silver Bay Power facility.
All of our mines utilize diesel fuel mainly for our mobile fleet. Thompson Gas supplies diesel fuel to all of our
U.S. Iron Ore locations from the Calumet refinery in Superior, Wisconsin. Our U.S. Iron Ore locations are contracted
with Como Oil and Propane through the end of 2018.
15
Employees
As of December 31, 2016, we had a total of 2,927 employees.
2016
2015
2014
U.S. Iron Ore1
Salaried
Hourly3
Total
Asia Pacific Iron Ore2
Salaried
Hourly
Total
Discontinued Operations2
Salaried
Hourly
Total
Corporate & Support Services
Salaried
Hourly
Total
Total
523
2,178
2,701
82
—
82
4
—
4
140
—
140
2,927
509
1,813
2,322
90
—
90
32
41
73
153
—
153
2,638
658
2,705
3,363
139
—
139
468
1,141
1,609
275
—
275
5,386
1 Includes our employees and the employees of the U.S. Iron Ore joint ventures.
2 Excludes contracted mining employees.
3 Excludes employees considered on lay-off status as a result of an indefinite or temporary idle. As of December 31, 2016, this
would include those impacted by the indefinite idling of the Empire mine, and as of December 31, 2015, this would include those
impacted by the temporary idlings of the United Taconite and Northshore mines.
As of December 31, 2016, approximately 80% of our active U.S. Iron Ore hourly employees were covered by
collective bargaining agreements.
Hourly employees at our Michigan and Minnesota iron ore mining operations, excluding Northshore, are
represented by the USW and are covered by labor agreements between the USW and our various operating entities.
These labor agreements that cover approximately 2,000 active USW-represented employees at our Empire and Tilden
mines in Michigan, and our United Taconite and Hibbing mines in Minnesota are valid through September 30, 2018.
Employees at our Northshore operations are not represented by a union and are not, therefore, covered by a collective
bargaining agreement.
Hourly employees at our LS&I railroads are represented by seven unions covering approximately 100
employees. The labor agreements that cover these employees reopened for bargaining on December 31, 2014 and
we are actively bargaining for successor agreements. These employees negotiate under the Railway Labor Act, which
provides that labor agreements remain in force until replaced by a successor agreement. Under the Railway Labor Act
work stoppages cannot occur until the parties have engaged in substantial negotiations, have mediated any disputes
and have received a release from the National Mediation Board.
Employees at our Asia Pacific Iron Ore, Corporate and Support Services are not represented by a union and
are not, therefore, covered by collective bargaining agreements.
16
Safety
Safety is our primary core value as we continue toward a zero incident culture at all of our facilities. We
continuously monitor, measure, and track our safety performance and make improvements where necessary. Best
practices are shared globally to ensure each mine site can effectively administer our policies, procedures and learnings
for enhanced workplace safety. Progress toward achieving our objectives is measured against established benchmarks,
including our company-wide TRIR. During 2016, our TRIR (including contractors) was 1.41 per 200,000 man-hours
worked.
Refer to Exhibit 95 Mine Safety Disclosures (filed herewith) for mine safety information required in accordance
with Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.
Available Information
Our headquarters are located at 200 Public Square, Suite 3300, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2315, and our telephone
number is (216) 694-5700. We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and its rules and
regulations. The Exchange Act requires us to file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Copies
of these reports and other information can be read and copied at:
SEC Public Reference Room
100 F Street N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-
SEC-0330.
The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers
that file electronically with the SEC. These materials may be obtained electronically by accessing the SEC’s home
page at www.sec.gov.
We use our website, www.cliffsnaturalresources.com, as a channel for routine distribution of important
information, including news releases, investor presentations and financial information. We also make available, free
of charge on our website, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form
8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as
soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these documents with, or furnish them to, the SEC. In addition,
our website allows investors and other interested persons to sign up to receive automatic email alerts when we post
news releases and financial information on our website.
We also make available, free of charge on our website, the charters of the Audit Committee, Governance and
Nominating Committee and Compensation and Organization Committee as well as the Corporate Governance
Guidelines and the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics adopted by our Board of Directors. These documents are
available through our investor relations page on our website at ir.cliffsnaturalresources.com. The SEC filings are
available by selecting “Financial Information” and then “SEC Filings,” and corporate governance materials are available
by selecting “Corporate Governance” for the Board Committee Charters, operational governance guidelines and the
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
References to our website or the SEC’s website do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information
contained on such websites, and such information is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Copies of the above-referenced information are also available, free of charge, by calling (216) 694-5700 or
upon written request to:
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
Investor Relations
200 Public Square, Suite 3300
Cleveland, OH 44114-2315
17
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Following are the names, ages and positions of the executive officers of the Company as of February 9, 2017.
Unless otherwise noted, all positions indicated are or were held with Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
Name
Lourenco Goncalves
Age Position(s) Held
59
P. Kelly Tompkins
60
Terry G. Fedor
Timothy K. Flanagan
52
39
James D. Graham
51
Maurice D. Harapiak
55
Terrence R. Mee
Clifford T. Smith
47
57
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (August 2014 - present); Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Metals USA Holdings Corp., an American
manufacturer and processor of steel and other metals (May 2006 - April 2013); and
President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Metals USA Inc. (February 2003
- April 2006).
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (January 2017 - present);
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (April 2015 - December 2016);
Executive Vice President, Business Development (October 2014 - April 2015);
Executive Vice President, External Affairs and President, Global Commercial
(November 2013 - October 2014); Chief Administrative Officer (July 2013 -
November 2013); Executive Vice President, Legal, Government Affairs and
Sustainability (May 2010 - July 2013); Chief Legal Officer (January 2011 -
January 2013); and President, Cliffs China (October 2012 - November 2013).
Executive Vice President, U.S. Iron Ore (January 2014 - present); and Vice President,
U.S. Iron Ore Operations (February 2011 - January 2014).
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer (January 2017 - present);
Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (March 2012 -
December 2016); Treasurer (March 2016 - present); and Assistant Controller
(February 2010 - March 2012).
Executive Vice President (November 2014 - present); Chief Legal Officer (March 2013
- present); Secretary (March 2014 - present); Vice President (January 2011 - October
2014); and General Counsel - Global Operations (January 2011 - March 2013).
Executive Vice President, Human Resources (June 2014 - present); Regional Director,
Human Resources - Barrick Gold of North America, a gold mining company
(November 2011 - June 2014); and Senior Director, Human Resources, Capital
Projects - Barrick Gold Corporation, a gold mining company (November 2007 -
November 2011).
- present);
Executive Vice President, Global Commercial
Vice President, Global Iron Ore Sales (February 2014 - October 2014); Senior Vice
President, Global Iron Ore Sales (March 2012 - February 2014); and Senior Vice
President, Global Iron Ore and Metallic Sales (January 2011 - March 2012).
(October 2014
Executive Vice President, Business Development
- present);
Executive Vice President, Seaborne Iron Ore (January 2014 - April 2015);
Executive Vice President, Global Operations (July 2013 - January 2014);
Executive Vice President, Global Business Development (March 2013 - July 2013);
and Senior Vice President, Global Business Development (January 2011 -
March 2013).
(April 2015
All executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board. There are no arrangements or understandings between
any executive officer and any other person pursuant to which an executive officer was selected to be an officer of the
Company. There is no family relationship between any of our executive officers, or between any of our executive officers
and any of our directors.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
An investment in our common shares or other securities is subject to risk inherent to our business and our
industry. Described below are certain risks and uncertainties, the occurrences of which could have a material adverse
effect on us. Before making an investment decision, you should consider carefully all of the risks described below together
with the other information included in this report. The risks and uncertainties described below include known material
risks that we face currently. Although we have significant risk management policies, practices and procedures aimed to
mitigate these risks, uncertainties may nevertheless impair our business operation. This report is qualified in its entirety
by these factors.
Our ERM function provides a framework for management's consideration of risk when making strategic, financial,
operational and/or project decisions. The framework is based on ISO 31000, an internationally recognized risk
management standard. Management uses a consistent methodology to identify and assess risks, determine and
18
implement risk mitigation actions, and monitor and communicate information about the Company's key risks. Through
these processes, we have identified six categories of risk that we are subject to: (I) economic and market, (II) regulatory,
(III) financial, (IV) operational, (V) development and sustainability and (VI) human capital. The following risk factors are
presented according to these key risk categories.
I. ECONOMIC AND MARKET RISKS
The volatility of commodity prices, namely iron ore and steel, affects our ability to generate revenue, maintain
stable cash flow and fund our operations, including growth and expansion projects.
As a mining company, our profitability is dependent upon the price of the commodities that we sell to our customers
and the price of the products our customers sell, namely iron ore and steel prices. The price of iron ore has fluctuated
significantly in the past and is affected by factors beyond our control, including: steel inventories; international demand
for raw materials used in steel production; rates of global economic growth, especially construction and infrastructure
activity that requires significant amounts of steel; changes in the levels of economic activity in the U.S., China, India,
Europe and other industrialized or developing countries; uncertainties or weaknesses in global economic conditions such
as the U.S. debt ceiling; changes in production capacity of other iron ore suppliers, especially as additional supplies
come online or where there is a significant increase in imports of steel into the U.S. or Europe; changes in trade laws;
weather-related disruptions or natural disasters that may impact the global supply of iron ore; and the proximity, capacity
and cost of infrastructure and transportation.
Our earnings, therefore, may fluctuate with the prices of the commodities we sell. To the extent that the prices
of iron ore and steel, including the average hot-rolled coil price, significantly decline for an extended period of time, we
may have to revise our operating plans, including curtailing production, reducing operating costs and capital expenditures
and discontinuing certain exploration and development programs. We also may have to take impairments on our long-
lived assets and/or inventory. Sustained lower prices also could cause us to further reduce existing reserves if certain
reserves no longer can be economically mined or processed at prevailing prices. We may be unable to decrease our
costs in an amount sufficient to offset reductions in revenues and may incur losses. These events could have a material
adverse effect on us.
Uncertainty or weaknesses in global economic conditions, reduced economic growth in China and oversupply
of iron ore and excess steel or imported products could affect adversely our business.
The world price of iron ore is influenced strongly by global economic conditions, including international demand
and supply for iron ore products. In particular, the current level of international demand for raw materials used in steel
production is driven largely by industrial growth in China. Uncertainties or weaknesses in global economic conditions,
including the slowing economic growth rate in China, has resulted, and could in the future result, in decreased demand
for our products and, together with oversupply of imported products, has and may continue to lead to decreased prices,
resulting in lower revenue levels and decreasing margins, which have in the past and may in the future affect adversely
our business and negatively impact our financial results. For example, U.S. Iron Ore's realized revenue rate per long
ton decreased 4% and 23% for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, compared
to a 5% increase and 43% decline in the Platts 62% Price over the same periods. We are not able to predict whether
the global economic conditions will improve or worsen and the impact it may have on our operations and the industry in
general going forward.
We also have significant capital requirements, including interest payments to service our debt. If we incur
significant losses in future periods, we may be unable to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to continue as
a going concern, we may consider, among other options, further restructuring our debt; however, there can be no assurance
that these options will be undertaken and, if so undertaken, whether these efforts will succeed.
Capacity expansions and limited rationalization of supply capacity within the mining industry could lead to lower
or more volatile global iron ore prices, impacting our profitability.
Global growth of iron ore demand, particularly from China, resulted in iron ore suppliers expanding their production
capacity over the past few years. The supply of iron ore increased due to these expansions. The increases in our
competitors’ capacity along with actual reduced demand resulted in excess supply of iron ore, which caused downward
pressure on prices. The limited rationalization of supply capacity has led to volatile pricing which can have an adverse
impact on our sales, margins and profitability. We do not have control over corporate strategies implemented by other
iron ore producers that may result in volatility of global iron ore prices.
19
If steelmakers use methods other than blast furnace production to produce steel or use other inputs, or if their
blast furnaces shut down or otherwise reduce production, the demand for our current iron ore products may
decrease.
Demand for our iron ore products is determined by the operating rates for the blast furnaces of steel companies.
However, not all finished steel is produced by blast furnaces; finished steel also may be produced by other methods that
use scrap steel, pig iron, hot briquetted iron and direct reduced iron. North American steel producers also can produce
steel using imported iron ore, semi-finished steel products or other lighter-weight steel alternatives, which eliminates the
need for domestic iron ore. Future environmental restrictions on the use of blast furnaces also may reduce our customers’
use of their blast furnaces. Maintenance of blast furnaces may require substantial capital expenditures and may cause
prolonged outages, which may reduce demand for our pellets. Our customers may choose not to maintain, or may not
have the resources necessary to maintain, their blast furnaces. If our customers use methods to produce steel that do
not use iron ore pellets, demand for our current iron ore products will decrease, which would affect adversely our sales,
margins, profitability and cash flows.
Due to economic conditions and volatility in commodity prices, or otherwise, our customers could approach
us about modification of their supply agreements or fail to perform under such agreements, which could impact
adversely our sales, margins, profitability and cash flows.
Although we have long-term contractual commitments for a majority of the sales in our U.S. Iron Ore business,
the uncertainty in global economic conditions may impact adversely the ability of our customers to meet their obligations.
As a result of such market volatility, our customers could approach us about modifying their supply agreements or fail
to perform under such agreements. Considering our limited base of current and potential customers, any modifications
to our sales agreements or customers' failures to perform under such agreements could impact adversely our sales,
margins, profitability and cash flows. For example, of the potential customers in the North American integrated steel
industry, two are in reorganization proceedings, and certain others have experienced financial difficulties. A loss of sales
to our existing customers could have a substantial negative impact on our sales, margins, profitability and cash flows.
Other potential actions by our customers could result in additional contractual disputes and could ultimately require
arbitration or litigation, either of which could be time consuming and costly. Any such disputes and/or failure to renew
existing contracts on favorable terms could impact adversely our sales, margins, profitability and cash flows.
II. REGULATORY RISKS
We are subject to extensive governmental regulation, which imposes, and will continue to impose, potential
significant costs and liabilities on us. Future laws and regulations or the manner in which they are interpreted
and enforced could increase these costs and liabilities or limit our ability to produce iron ore products.
New laws or regulations, or changes in existing laws or regulations, or the manner of their interpretation or
enforcement, particularly in light of the new presidential administration, could increase our cost of doing business and
restrict our ability to operate our business or execute our strategies. This includes, among other things, the possible
taxation under U.S. law of certain income from foreign operations, compliance costs and enforcement under the Dodd-
Frank Act, and costs associated with complying with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Healthcare
and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 and the regulations promulgated thereunder and any replacement or
amendments thereof. In addition, we are subject to various federal, provincial, state and local laws and regulations in
each jurisdiction in which we have operations for human health and safety, air quality, water pollution, plant, wetlands,
natural resources and wildlife protection, reclamation and restoration of mining properties, the discharge of materials
into the environment, the effects that mining has on groundwater quality, conductivity and availability, and related matters.
Numerous governmental permits and approvals are required for our operations.
We cannot be certain that we have been or will be at all times in complete compliance with such laws, regulations,
permits and approvals. If we violate or fail to comply with these laws, regulations, permits or approvals, we could be fined
or otherwise sanctioned by regulators. Compliance with the complex and extensive laws and regulations to which we
are subject imposes substantial costs, which we expect will continue to increase over time because of increased regulatory
oversight, adoption of increasingly stringent environmental standards, and increased demand for remediation services
leading to shortages of equipment, supplies and labor, as well as other factors.
Specifically, there are several notable proposed or recently enacted rulemakings or activities to which we would be
subject or that would further regulate and/or tax our customers, namely the North American integrated steel producer
customers, that may also require us or our customers to reduce or otherwise change operations significantly or incur
significant additional costs, depending on their ultimate outcome. These emerging or recently enacted rules, regulations
and policy guidance include: CERCLA financial assurance, numerous air regulations, such as climate change and
greenhouse gas regulation, regional haze regulation, NAAQS including but not limited to those for NO2 and SO2, the
20
CSAPR; Minnesota’s Mercury Air Emissions Reporting and Reduction Rule, Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load
requirements and Taconite Mercury Reduction Strategy, selenium discharge regulation; conductivity water quality
standards for aquatic life; expansion of federal jurisdictional authority to regulate groundwater, and various other water
quality regulations. Such new or more stringent legislation, regulations, interpretations or orders, when enacted, could
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or profitability.
Although the numerous regulations, operating permits and our management systems mitigate potential
impacts to the environment, our operations inadvertently may impact the environment or cause exposure to
hazardous substances, which could result in material liabilities to us.
Our operations currently use and have used in the past, hazardous materials, and, from time to time, we have
generated solid and hazardous waste. We have been, and may in the future be, subject to claims under federal, provincial,
state and local laws and regulations for toxic torts, natural resource damages and other damages as well as for the
investigation and clean-up of soil, surface water, sediments, groundwater and other natural resources and reclamation
of properties. Such claims for damages and reclamation may arise out of current or former conditions at sites that we
own, lease or operate currently, as well as sites that we or our acquired companies have owned, leased or operated,
and at contaminated sites that have been owned, leased or operated by our joint venture partners. Our liability for these
claims may be strict, and/or joint and several, such that we may be held responsible for more than our share of the
contamination or other damages, or even for the entire share regardless of fault. We are subject to a variety of potential
liability exposures arising, or otherwise involved in investigation and remediation activities, at certain sites. In addition
to sites currently owned, leased or operated, these include sites where we formerly conducted iron ore and/or coal mining
or processing or other operations, inactive sites that we currently own, predecessor sites, acquired sites, leased land
sites and third-party waste disposal sites. We may be named as a responsible party at other sites in the future and we
cannot be certain that the costs associated with these additional sites will not be material.
We also could be subject to litigation for alleged bodily injuries arising from claimed exposure to hazardous
substances allegedly used, released, or disposed of by us. In particular, we and certain of our subsidiaries were involved
in various claims relating to the exposure of asbestos and silica to seamen who sailed until the mid-1980s on the Great
Lakes vessels formerly owned and operated by certain of our subsidiaries. While several hundred of these claims against
us had been combined in a multidistrict litigation docket and have since been dismissed and/or settled for non-material
amounts, there remains a possibility that similar types of claims could be filed in the future.
Environmental impacts as a result of our operations, including exposures to hazardous substances or wastes
associated with our operations, could result in costs and liabilities that could materially and adversely affect our margins,
cash flow or profitability.
We may be unable to obtain and renew permits necessary for our operations or be required to provide additional
financial assurance, which could reduce our production, cash flows, profitability and available liquidity. We
also could face significant permit and approval requirements that could delay our commencement or
continuation of existing or new production operations which, in turn, could affect materially our cash flows,
profitability and available liquidity.
Prior to commencement of mining, we must submit to and obtain approval from the appropriate regulatory
authority of plans showing where and how mining and reclamation operations are to occur. These plans must include
information such as the location of mining areas, stockpiles, surface waters, haul roads, tailings basins and drainage
from mining operations. All requirements imposed by any such authority may be costly and time-consuming and may
delay commencement or continuation of exploration or production operations.
Mining companies must obtain numerous permits that impose strict conditions on various environmental and
safety matters in connection with iron ore mining. These include permits issued by various federal, state and provincial
agencies and regulatory bodies. The permitting rules are complex and may change over time, making our ability to
comply with the applicable requirements more difficult or impractical and costly, possibly precluding the continuance of
ongoing operations or the development of future mining operations. Interpretations of rules may also change over time
and may lead to requirements, such as additional financial assurance, making it more costly to comply. The public,
including special interest groups and individuals, have certain rights under various statutes to comment upon, submit
objections to, and otherwise engage in the permitting process, including bringing citizens’ lawsuits to challenge such
permits or mining activities. Accordingly, required permits may not be issued or renewed in a timely fashion (or at all),
or permits issued or renewed may be conditioned in a manner that may restrict our ability to conduct our mining activities
efficiently, including the requirement for additional financial assurances that we may not be able to provide on commercially
reasonable terms or at all and which would further limit our borrowing base under our ABL Facility. Such inefficiencies
could reduce our production, cash flows, profitability and available liquidity.
21
III.
FINANCIAL RISKS
A substantial majority of our sales are made under supply agreements with limited duration to a low number of
customers that contain price-adjustment clauses that could affect adversely the stability and profitability of our
operations.
A majority of our U.S. Iron Ore sales and our Asia Pacific Iron Ore sales are made under supply agreements
with specified durations to a limited number of customers. For the year ended December 31, 2016, more than 71% of
our product revenue was derived from the North American integrated steel industry. For the year ended December 31,
2016, three customers together accounted for 83% of our U.S. Iron Ore product sales revenues (representing 60% of
our consolidated revenues). Our Asia Pacific Iron Ore contracts with customers in China and Japan currently expire in
March 2017 and our one South Korean customer contract expires in December 2017. In May 2016, we agreed to a new
contract with ArcelorMittal through 2026. This extended our average remaining duration of our U.S. Iron Ore contracts
from three years to approximately seven years. Pricing under our new contract with ArcelorMittal will be adjusted by the
price of hot-rolled coil steel in the U.S. domestic market, and iron ore and general inflation indices. As a result of this
pricing construct and the pricing constructs contained in our existing customer contracts and those anticipated in future
periods, our financial results will have increased sensitivity to changes in iron ore and steel prices.
Our existing and future indebtedness may limit cash flow available to invest in the ongoing needs of our business,
which could prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our senior notes and ABL Facility.
As of December 31, 2016, we had an aggregate principal amount of $2,258.8 million of long-term debt, $1,188.6
million of which was secured (excluding $106.0 million of outstanding letters of credit and $55.8 million of capital leases),
and $323.4 million of cash on our balance sheet. As of December 31, 2016, no loans were drawn under the ABL Facility
and we had total availability of $333.0 million as a result of borrowing base limitations. As of December 31, 2016, the
principal amount of letters of credit obligations and other commitments totaled $106.0 million, thereby further reducing
available borrowing capacity on our ABL Facility to $227.0 million.
Although we reduced the principal balance of our outstanding debt by $639.4 million and our annual interest
expense by $28.0 million during 2016, our substantial level of indebtedness has required us to dedicate a significant
portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of debt service, reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund
capital expenditures, acquisitions or strategic development initiatives, and other general corporate purposes. Moreover,
our level of indebtedness could have further consequences, including, increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic
or industry conditions, limiting our ability to obtain additional financing in the future to enable us to react to changes in
our business, or placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to businesses in our industry that have less
indebtedness.
Our substantial level of indebtedness could limit our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or
at all for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or strategic development initiatives, and general corporate
purposes. Our liquidity needs could vary significantly and may be affected by general economic conditions, industry
trends, performance and many other factors not within our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from
operations in the future to service our debt, we may be required to refinance all or a portion of our existing debt. However,
we may not be able to obtain any such new or additional debt on favorable terms or at all.
Any failure to comply with covenants in the instruments governing our debt could result in an event of default
which, if not cured or waived, would have a material adverse effect on us.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt, and may be forced to take other actions
to satisfy our obligations under our debt, which may not be successful.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our ability to generate
cash in the future and our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and
competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you
that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium,
if any, and interest on our debt.
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to
reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital, including additional
secured or unsecured debt, or restructure or refinance our debt. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest
rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations.
These measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.
22
If our operating results and available cash are insufficient to meet our debt service obligations, we could face
substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service
and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or recover the carrying value of these
assets or obtain the proceeds that we could realize from them, and these proceeds may not be adequate to meet any
debt service obligations then due. Further, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity,
and we may not be able to refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Furthermore, additional
or new financial assurances may be demanded by our vendors or regulatory agencies that we may not be able to provide
on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Any of these examples potentially could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, profitability,
shareholders' equity and capital structure. Also, if we were to sell a percentage of a business, there are inherent risks
of a joint venture relationship as noted in the risk factor below.
We rely on our joint venture partners in our mines to meet their payment obligations and we are subject to risks
involving the acts or omissions of our joint venture partners.
We co-own and manage two of our four operating U.S. Iron Ore mines and our indefinitely-idled Empire mine
with various joint venture partners that are integrated steel producers or their subsidiaries, including ArcelorMittal and
U.S. Steel. We rely on our joint venture partners to make their required capital contributions and to pay for their share
of the iron ore that each joint venture produces. Our U.S. Iron Ore joint venture partners are often also our customers.
If one or more of our joint venture partners fail to perform their obligations, the remaining joint venture partners, including
ourselves, may be required to assume additional material obligations, including significant capital contribution, costs of
environmental remediation, pension and postretirement health and life insurance benefit obligations. For example, a
premature closure of a mine due to the failure of a joint venture partner to perform its obligations could result in significant
fixed mine-closure costs, including severance, employment legacy costs and other employment costs; reclamation and
other environmental costs; and the costs of terminating long-term obligations, including energy and transportation
contracts and equipment leases.
We cannot control the actions of our joint venture partners, especially when we have a minority interest in a joint
venture. Further, in spite of performing customary due diligence prior to entering into a joint venture, we cannot guarantee
full disclosure of prior acts or omissions of the sellers or those with whom we enter into joint ventures. Such risks could
have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations or financial condition of our joint venture interests.
Our ability to collect payments from our customers depends on their creditworthiness.
Our ability to receive payment for products sold and delivered to our customers depends on the creditworthiness
of our customers. With respect to our Asia Pacific business unit, payment typically is received as the products are shipped
and much of the product is secured by bank letters of credit. By contrast, in our U.S. Iron Ore business unit, generally,
we deliver iron ore products to our customers’ facilities in advance of payment for those products. Under this practice
for our U.S. customers, title and risk of loss with respect to U.S. Iron Ore products does not pass to the customer until
payment for the pellets is received; however, there is typically a period of time in which pellets, for which we have reserved
title, are within our customers’ control. Where we have identified credit risk with certain customers, we have put in place
alternate payment terms from time to time.
Consolidations in some of the industries in which our customers operate have created larger customers. These
factors have caused some customers to be less profitable and increased our exposure to credit risk. Customers in other
countries may be subject to other pressures and uncertainties that may affect their ability to pay, including trade barriers,
exchange controls, and local, economic and political conditions. Downturns in the economy and disruptions in the global
financial markets in recent years have affected the creditworthiness of our customers from time to time. Some of our
customers are highly leveraged. If economic conditions worsen or prolonged global, national or regional economic
recession conditions return, it is likely to impact significantly the creditworthiness of our customers and could, in turn,
increase the risk we bear on payment default for the credit we provide to our customers and could limit our ability to
collect receivables. Failure to receive payment from our customers for products that we have delivered could affect
adversely our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
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Our operating expenses could increase significantly if the price of electrical power, fuel or other energy sources
increases.
Our mining operations require significant use of energy. Operating expenses at all of our mining locations are
sensitive to changes in electricity prices and fuel prices, including diesel fuel and natural gas prices. These items make
up approximately 25% to 30% in the aggregate of our operating costs in our U.S. Iron Ore locations, for example. Prices
for electricity, natural gas and fuel oils can fluctuate widely with availability and demand levels from other users. During
periods of peak usage, supplies of energy may be curtailed and we may not be able to purchase them at historical rates.
A disruption in the transmission of energy, inadequate energy transmission infrastructure, or the termination of any of
our energy supply contracts could interrupt our energy supply and affect adversely our operations. While we have some
long-term contracts with electrical suppliers, we are exposed to fluctuations in energy costs that can affect our production
costs. As an example, our mines in Minnesota are subject to changes in Minnesota Power’s rates, such as rate changes
that are reviewed and approved by the state public utilities commission in response to an application filed by Minnesota
Power. We also enter into market-based pricing supply contracts for natural gas and diesel fuel for use in our operations.
Those contracts expose us to price increases in energy costs, which could cause our profitability to decrease significantly.
We are estimating that power rates for our electricity-intensive operations could increase above 2016 levels by up to
15% by 2021, representing an increase of approximately $9 per MWh by 2021 for our U.S. operations.
In addition, U.S. public utilities are expected to pass through additional capital and operating cost increases to
their customers related to new or pending U.S. environmental regulations that are expected to require significant capital
investment and use of cleaner fuels in the future and which may impact U.S. coal-fired generation capacity. Our mines
in Michigan rely on electricity supplied from the Presque Isle Power Plant, which is coal-fired. In 2016, we entered into
a twenty-year power purchase agreement that contemplates the capital investment by the power company to construct
two natural gas power plants in Michigan. Should the power company fail to build the new power plants or experience
significant construction delays, we may be subject to increased operational risk from continued reliance on the existing
power plant or increased costs in pursuing alternatives, which could also decrease our profitability.
The availability of capital may be limited.
We may need to access the capital markets to finance ongoing operations, any acquisitions, development of
existing mining properties and our other cash requirements. Our existing indebtedness could make it more difficult for
us to borrow money in the future and may reduce the amount of money available to finance our operations and other
business activities and may have other detrimental consequences, including the following: requiring us to dedicate a
substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our debt,
which will reduce funds available for other purposes; exposing us to the risk of increased interest costs if the underlying
interest rates rise on our existing ABL Facility; making it more difficult to obtain surety bonds, letters of credit or other
financing, particularly during periods in which credit markets are weak; causing a change in our credit ratings; limiting
our ability to compete with companies that are not as leveraged and that may be better positioned to withstand economic
downturns; and limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, and increasing our vulnerability to, changes in our
business, the industry in which we compete and general economic and market conditions. If we further increase our
indebtedness, the related risks that we now face, including those described above, could intensify. We cannot predict
the general availability or accessibility of capital to finance projects or acquisitions in the future.
We are subject to a variety of financial market risks.
Financial market risks include those caused by changes in the value of investments, changes in commodity
prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We have established policies and procedures to manage
such risks; however, certain risks are beyond our control and our efforts to mitigate such risks may not be effective.
These factors could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
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We are subject to bankruptcy or insolvency risks relating to our former Canadian operations.
As previously disclosed, the Bloom Lake Group commenced the CCAA process in January 2015 to address the
Bloom Lake Group's immediate liquidity issues and to preserve and protect its assets for the benefit of all stakeholders
while restructuring and/or sale options were explored. In May 2015, the Wabush Group commenced restructuring
proceedings and, as a result, the CCAA protection granted to the Bloom Lake Group has been extended to include the
Wabush Group. Financial instruments are posted by Cliffs to support certain reclamation obligations of the Wabush
Group. It is possible that (a) as part of the CCAA process (i) claims may be asserted by or on behalf of the Bloom Lake
Group or the Wabush Group or by their respective representatives against non-debtor affiliates of the Bloom Lake Group
and the Wabush Group and/or (ii) claims of non-debtor affiliates against the Bloom Lake Group or the Wabush Group
may be challenged and (b) creditors of the Wabush Group may assert claims which may impact adversely non-debtor
affiliates of the Wabush Group, including in relation to the financial instruments discussed above. While we anticipate
the restructuring and/or sale of the Bloom Lake Group and the Wabush Group assets may mitigate these risks, to the
extent that any claims are successful, Cliffs could be held liable for certain claims or be limited in the amount of recovery
for intercompany claims.
A court or regulatory body could find that we are responsible, in whole or in part, for liabilities we transferred
to third party purchasers.
As part of our strategy to focus on our U.S. Iron Ore operations, we have sold or otherwise disposed of several
non-core assets, such as our North American Coal assets. Some of the transactions under which we sold or otherwise
disposed of our non-core assets included provisions transferring certain liabilities to the purchasers or acquirers of those
non-core assets. While we believe that all such transfers were completed properly and are legally binding, if the purchaser
fails to fulfill its obligations, we may be at risk that some court or regulatory body could disagree and determine that we
remain responsible for liabilities we intended to and did transfer.
Changes in credit ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations could adversely affect
our cost of financing and the market price of our securities.
Credit rating agencies could downgrade our ratings either due to factors specific to our business, a prolonged
cyclical downturn in the mining industry, or macroeconomic trends (such as global or regional recessions) and trends in
credit and capital markets more generally. Any decline in our credit ratings may result in an increase to our cost of
financing and limit our access to the capital markets, which would harm our financial condition and results of operations,
hinder our ability to refinance existing indebtedness on acceptable terms, have an adverse effect on the market price of
our securities and may affect adversely the terms under which we purchase goods and services.
IV. OPERATIONAL RISKS
We incur certain costs when production capacity is idled, including increased costs to resume production at
idled facilities and costs to idle facilities.
Our decisions concerning which mines to operate and at what capacity levels are made based upon our customers'
orders for products, the quality of and cost to mine and process the remaining ore body, as well as the capabilities and
cost performance of our mines. During depressed market conditions, we may concentrate production at certain mines
and not operate others in response to customer demand and as a result we will incur idle facility costs. In 2016, two of
our Minnesota mines were temporarily idled for a portion of the year and we indefinitely idled the Empire mine in Michigan
in August.
When we restart idled facilities, we incur certain costs to replenish inventories, prepare the previously idled
facilities for operation, perform the required repair and maintenance activities and prepare employees to return to work
safely and to resume production responsibilities. The amount of any such costs can be material, depending on a variety
of factors, such as the period of idle time, necessary repairs and available employees, and is difficult to project.
Faced with overcapacity in the iron ore market, we may seek to rationalize assets through asset sales, temporary
shutdowns, indefinite idles or closures of facilities.
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Mine closures entail substantial costs. If we prematurely close one or more of our mines, our results of operations
and financial condition would likely be affected adversely.
If we prematurely close any of our mines, our revenues would be reduced unless we were able to increase
production at our other mines, which may not be possible. The closure of a mining operation involves significant fixed
closure costs, including accelerated employment legacy costs, severance-related obligations, reclamation and other
environmental costs, and the costs of terminating long-term obligations, including customer, energy and transportation
contracts and equipment leases. We base our assumptions regarding the life of our mines on detailed studies we perform
from time to time, but those studies and assumptions are subject to uncertainties and estimates that may not be accurate.
We recognize the costs of reclaiming open pits, stockpiles, tailings ponds, roads and other mining support areas based
on the estimated mining life of our property. If we were to significantly reduce the estimated life of any of our mines, the
mine-closure costs would be applied to a shorter period of production, which would increase costs per ton produced and
could significantly and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
A North American mine permanent closure could accelerate and significantly increase employment legacy costs,
including our expense and funding costs for pension and other postretirement benefit obligations. A number of employees
would be eligible for immediate retirement under special eligibility rules that apply upon a mine closure. All employees
eligible for immediate retirement under the pension plans at the time of the permanent mine closure also could be eligible
for postretirement health and life insurance benefits, thereby accelerating our obligation to provide these benefits. Certain
mine closures would precipitate a pension closure liability significantly greater than an ongoing operation liability. Finally,
a permanent mine closure could trigger severance-related obligations, which can equal up to sixteen weeks of pay per
employee in some jurisdictions, depending on length of service. As a result, the closure of one or more of our mines
could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
At the end of March 2014, we idled our Wabush Scully mine in Newfoundland and Labrador, and in the fourth
quarter of 2014, we began to implement the permanent closure plan for the mine. In May 2015, we announced the
Wabush Filing under the CCAA. The Wabush Filing is expected to mitigate various legacy related long-term liabilities
associated with the Wabush Group. However, there can be no assurance that we will not have any material obligations
in connection with the permanent closure of the Wabush Scully mine.
Our sales and competitive position depend on the ability to transport our products to our customers at
competitive rates and in a timely manner.
In our U.S. Iron Ore operations, disruption of the lake and rail transportation services because of weather-related
problems, including ice and winter weather conditions on the Great Lakes or St. Lawrence Seaway, climate change,
strikes, lock-outs, or other events and lack of alternative transportation options, could impair our ability to supply iron ore
to our customers at competitive rates or in a timely manner and, thus, could adversely affect our sales, margins and
profitability. Further, reduced dredging and environmental changes, particularly at Great Lakes ports, could impact
negatively our ability to move our iron ore products because lower water levels restrict the tonnage that vessels can haul,
resulting in higher freight rates.
Our Asia Pacific Iron Ore operations also are dependent upon rail and port capacity. Disruptions in rail service
or availability of dock capacity could similarly impair our ability to supply iron ore to our customers, thereby adversely
affecting our sales and profitability. In addition, our Asia Pacific Iron Ore operations are also in direct competition with
the major world seaborne exporters of iron ore and our customers face higher transportation costs than most other
Australian producers to ship our products to the Asian markets because of the location of our major shipping port on
the southwest coast of Australia. Further, increases in transportation costs, including volatile fuel rates, decreased
availability of ocean vessels or changes in such costs relative to transportation costs incurred by our competitors could
make our products less competitive, restrict our access to certain markets and have an adverse effect on our sales,
margins and profitability.
Natural disasters, weather conditions, disruption of energy, unanticipated geological conditions, equipment
failures, and other unexpected events may lead our customers, our suppliers or our facilities to curtail production
or shut down operations.
Operating levels within the mining industry are subject to unexpected conditions and events that are beyond the
industry’s control. Those events could cause industry members or their suppliers to curtail production or shut down a
portion or all of their operations, which could reduce the demand for our iron ore products, and could affect adversely
our sales, margins and profitability.
Interruptions in production capabilities inevitably will increase our production costs and reduce our profitability.
We do not have meaningful excess capacity for current production needs, and we are not able to quickly increase
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production or re-start production at one mine to offset an interruption in production at another mine. Additionally, re-start
production costs can be even higher if required to be taken during extremely cold weather conditions.
A portion of our production costs are fixed regardless of current operating levels. As noted, our operating levels
are subject to conditions beyond our control that can delay deliveries or increase the cost of mining at particular mines
for varying lengths of time. These include weather conditions (for example, extreme winter weather, tornadoes, floods,
and the lack of availability of process water due to drought) and natural and man-made disasters, tailings dam failures,
pit wall failures, unanticipated geological conditions, including variations in the amount of rock and soil overlying the
deposits of iron ore, variations in rock and other natural materials and variations in geologic conditions and ore processing
changes.
The manufacturing processes that take place in our mining operations, as well as in our processing facilities,
depend on critical pieces of equipment. This equipment may, on occasion, be out of service because of unanticipated
failures. In addition, all of our mines and processing facilities have been in operation for several decades, and the
equipment is aged. In the future, we may experience additional material plant shutdowns or periods of reduced production
because of equipment failures. Further, remediation of any interruption in production capability may require us to make
large capital expenditures that could have a negative effect on our profitability and cash flows. Our business interruption
insurance would not cover all of the lost revenues associated with equipment failures. Longer-term business disruptions
could result in a loss of customers, which adversely could affect our future sales levels and, therefore, our profitability.
Regarding the impact of unexpected events happening to our suppliers, many of our mines are dependent on
one source for electric power and for natural gas. A significant interruption in service from our energy suppliers due to
terrorism or sabotage, weather conditions, natural disasters, or any other cause can result in substantial losses that
may not be fully recoverable, either from our business interruption insurance or responsible third parties.
We may not have adequate insurance coverage for some business risks.
As noted above, our operations are generally subject to a number of hazards and risks, which could result in
damage to, or destruction of, equipment, properties or facilities. The insurance that we maintain to address risks that
are typical in our business may not provide adequate coverage. Insurance against some risks, such as liabilities for
environmental pollution, tailings basin breaches, or certain hazards or interruption of certain business activities, may
not be available at an economically reasonable cost, or at all. Even if available, we may self-insure where we determine
it is most cost-effective to do so. As a result, accidents or other negative developments involving our mining, production
or transportation activities could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Failures in our information technology systems may interfere with the normal functioning of our business.
We rely on information technology (“IT”) systems for the operations of many of our business processes. Failures
of our IT systems, whether caused maliciously or inadvertently, may result in the disruption of our business processes,
or in the unauthorized release of sensitive, confidential or otherwise protected information or result in the corruption of
data. Though we have controls in place, we cannot provide assurance that a cyber-attack will not occur.
We are subject to risks involving operations and sales in multiple countries.
We supply raw materials to the global integrated steel industry with substantial assets located outside of the
U.S. We conduct operations in the U.S. and Australia. As such, we are subject to additional risks beyond those relating
to our U.S. operations, such as fluctuations in currency exchange rates; potentially adverse tax consequences due to
overlapping or differing tax structures; burdens to comply with multiple and potentially conflicting foreign laws and
regulations, including export requirements, tariffs, economic sanctions and other barriers, environmental health and
safety requirements, and unexpected changes in any of these laws and regulations; the imposition of duties, tariffs,
import and export controls and other trade barriers impacting the seaborne iron ore markets; difficulties in staffing and
managing multi-national operations; political and economic instability and disruptions, including terrorist attacks;
disadvantages of competing against companies from countries that are not subject to U.S. laws and regulations, including
the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; and uncertainties in the enforcement of legal rights and remedies in multiple
jurisdictions.
With the finalization of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's, or OECD's, Base Erosion
and Profit Shifting study, referred to as the Actions, many OECD countries have acknowledged their intent to implement
the Actions and update their local tax regulations. The extent (if any) to which countries in which we operate adopt and
implement the Actions could affect our effective tax rate and our future results from non-U.S. operations.
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Compliance with the laws and regulations described above or with other applicable foreign, federal, state,
provincial and local laws and regulations currently in effect or that may be adopted in the future could expose us to
additional risks. If we are unable to manage successfully the risks associated with operating our global business, these
risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Our profitability could be affected adversely by the failure of outside contractors to perform.
Asia Pacific Iron Ore uses contractors to handle many of the operational phases of its mining and processing
operations and, therefore, we are subject to the performance of outside companies on key production areas. We use
contractors to help complete certain capital projects, such as development of the Mustang pellet, and a contractor's
failure to perform could affect adversely our sales and our ability to fulfill customer requirements. A failure of any of these
contractors to perform in a significant way would result in additional costs for us, which also could affect adversely our
production rates and results of operations.
V.
DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY RISKS
The cost and time to implement a strategic capital project may prove to be greater than originally anticipated.
We undertake strategic capital projects in order to enhance, expand or upgrade our mines and production
capabilities. Our ability to achieve the anticipated volumes of production, revenues or otherwise realize acceptable
returns on strategic capital projects that we may undertake is subject to a number of risks, many of which are beyond
our control, including a variety of market (such as a volatile pricing environment for iron ore), operational, permitting and
labor-related factors. Further, the cost to implement any given strategic capital project ultimately may prove to be greater
and may take more time than originally anticipated. Inability to achieve the anticipated results from the implementation
of our strategic capital projects, or the incurring of unanticipated implementation costs, penalties or inability to meet
contractual obligations could affect adversely our results of operations and future earnings and cash flow generation.
We continually must replace reserves depleted by production. Exploration activities may not result in additional
discoveries.
Our ability to replenish our ore reserves is important to our long-term viability. Depleted ore reserves must be
replaced by further delineation of existing ore bodies or by locating new deposits in order to maintain production levels
over the long term. Resource exploration and development are highly speculative in nature. Exploration projects involve
many risks, require substantial expenditures and may not result in the discovery of sufficient additional mineral deposits
that can be mined profitably. Once a site with mineralization is discovered, it may take several years from the initial
phases of drilling until production is possible, during which time the economic feasibility of production may change.
Substantial expenditures are required to establish recoverable proven and probable reserves and to construct mining
and processing facilities. As a result, there is no assurance that current or future exploration programs will be successful
and there is a risk that depletion of reserves will not be offset by discoveries or acquisitions. Given recent market
conditions, we significantly curtailed expenditures related to exploration at or near our mine sites in the U.S. and Australia.
We rely on estimates of our recoverable reserves, which is complex due to geological characteristics of the
properties and the number of assumptions made.
We regularly evaluate our iron ore reserves based on revenues and costs and update them as required in
accordance with SEC Industry Guide 7 and, historically, the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum's
Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. In addition, our Asia Pacific Iron Ore business segment
has published reserves that follow the Joint Ore Reserve Code in Australia, with certain changes to our Western Australian
reserve values to make them comply with SEC requirements. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating
quantities of reserves of our mines, including many factors beyond our control.
Estimates of reserves and future net cash flows necessarily depend upon a number of variable factors and
assumptions, such as production capacity, effects of regulations by governmental agencies, future prices for iron ore,
future industry conditions and operating costs, severance and excise taxes, development costs and costs of extraction
and reclamation, all of which may vary considerably from actual results. Estimating the quantity and grade of reserves
requires us to determine the size, shape and depth of our mineral bodies by analyzing geological data, such as samplings
of drill holes. In addition to the geology assumptions of our mines, assumptions are also required to determine the
economic feasibility of mining these reserves, including estimates of future commodity prices and demand, the mining
methods we use, and the related costs incurred to develop and mine our reserves. For these reasons, estimates of the
economically recoverable quantities of mineralized deposits attributable to any particular group of properties,
classifications of such reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net cash flows prepared by different
engineers or by the same engineers at different times may vary substantially as the criteria change. Estimated ore
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reserves could be affected by future industry conditions, future changes in the SEC's mining property disclosure
requirements, geological conditions and ongoing mine planning. Actual volume and grade of reserves recovered,
production rates, revenues and expenditures with respect to our reserves will likely vary from estimates, and if such
variances are material, our sales and profitability could be affected adversely.
Defects in title or loss of any leasehold interests in our properties could limit our ability to mine these
properties or result in significant unanticipated costs.
A portion of our mining operations are conducted on properties we lease, license or as to which we have easements
or other possessory interests, which we refer to as "leased properties". Consistent with industry practice, title to most
of these leased properties and mineral rights are not usually verified until we make a commitment to develop a property,
which may not occur until after we have obtained necessary permits and completed exploration of the leased property.
In some cases, title with respect to leased properties is not verified at all because we instead rely on title information or
representations and warranties provided by lessors or grantors. We do not maintain title insurance on our owned or
leased properties. A title defect or the loss of any lease, license or easement for any leased property could affect adversely
our ability to mine any associated reserves. In addition, from time to time the rights of third parties for competing uses
of adjacent, overlying, or underlying lands such as for roads, easements and public facilities may affect our ability to
operate as planned if our title is not superior or arrangements cannot be negotiated.
Any challenge to our title could delay the exploration and development of some reserves, deposits or surface
rights, cause us to incur unanticipated costs and could ultimately result in the loss of some or all of our interest in those
reserves or surface rights. In the event we lose reserves, deposits or surface rights, we may have to shut down or
significantly alter the sequence of our mining operations, which may affect adversely our future production, revenues
and cash flows. Additionally, if we lose any leasehold interests relating to any of our pellet plants or loadout facilities,
we may need to find an alternative location to process our iron ore and load it for delivery to customers, which could
result in significant unanticipated costs. Finally, we could incur significant liability if we inadvertently mine on property
we do not own or lease.
In order to continue to foster growth in our business and maintain stability of our earnings, we must maintain
our social license to operate with our stakeholders.
As a mining company, maintaining a strong reputation and consistent operational and safety history is vital in
order to continue to foster growth and maintain stability in our earnings. As sustainability expectations increase and
regulatory requirements continue to evolve, maintaining our social license to operate becomes increasingly important.
We incorporate social license expectations in our ERM program. Our ability to maintain our reputation and strong
operating history could be threatened, including by circumstances outside of our control, such as disasters caused or
suffered by other mining companies. If we are not able to respond effectively to these and other challenges to our social
license to operate, our reputation could be damaged significantly. Damage to our reputation could affect adversely our
operations and ability to foster growth in our company.
Estimates and timelines relating to new development projects are uncertain and we may incur higher costs and
lower economic returns than estimated.
Mining industry development projects typically require a number of years and significant expenditures before
production is possible. Such projects could experience unexpected problems and delays during development,
construction and start-up.
Our decision to develop a project typically is based on the results of feasibility studies, which estimate the
anticipated economic returns of a project. The actual project profitability or economic feasibility may differ from such
estimates as a result of any of the following factors, among others: changes in tonnage, grades and metallurgical
characteristics of ore or other raw materials to be mined and processed; estimated future prices of the relevant product;
changes in customer demand; higher construction and infrastructure costs; the quality of the data on which engineering
assumptions were made; higher production costs; adverse geotechnical conditions; availability of adequate labor force;
availability and cost of water and energy; availability and cost of transportation; fluctuations in inflation and currency
exchange rates; availability and terms of financing; delays in obtaining environmental or other government permits or
changes in laws and regulations including environmental laws and regulations; weather or severe climate impacts; and
potential delays relating to social and community issues.
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Our ability to realize the benefits of any potential acquisitions is uncertain.
Should we determine to pursue any acquisitions, the success of the same is subject to risks and uncertainties,
including our ability to realize operating efficiencies expected from an acquisition; the size or quality of the mineral
potential; delays in realizing the benefits of an acquisition; difficulties in retaining key employees, customers or suppliers
of the acquired business; the risks associated with the assumption of contingent or undisclosed liabilities of acquisition
targets; the impact of changes to our allocation of purchase price; and the ability to generate future cash flows or the
availability of financing.
Moreover, any acquisition opportunities we pursue could affect materially our liquidity and capital resources and
may require us to incur indebtedness, seek equity capital or both. Future acquisitions could also result in us assuming
more long-term liabilities relative to the value of the acquired assets than we may have assumed in previous acquisitions.
VI. HUMAN CAPITAL RISKS
Our profitability could be affected adversely if we fail to maintain satisfactory labor relations.
Production in our mines is dependent upon the efforts of our employees. We are party to labor agreements with
various labor unions that represent employees at our operations. Such labor agreements are negotiated periodically,
and, therefore, we are subject to the risk that these agreements may not be able to be renewed on reasonably satisfactory
terms. It is difficult to predict what issues may arise as part of the collective bargaining process, and whether negotiations
concerning these issues will be successful. Due to union activities or other employee actions, we could experience labor
disputes, work stoppages, or other disruptions in our production of iron ore that could affect us adversely. The USW
represents all labor employees at our U.S. Iron Ore operations owned and/or managed by Cliffs or its subsidiary companies
except for Northshore. Our labor agreements with the USW at four of our U.S. Iron Ore operations were ratified in
September 2016 and extend for a three-year term, effective as of October 1, 2015.
If we enter into a new labor agreement with any union that significantly increases our labor costs relative to our
competitors or fail to come to an agreement upon expiry, our ability to compete may be materially and adversely affected.
We may encounter labor shortages for critical operational positions, which could affect adversely our ability to
produce our products.
We are predicting a long-term shortage of skilled workers for the mining industry and competition for the available
workers limits our ability to attract and retain employees. Additionally, at our U.S. mining locations, many of our mining
operational employees are approaching retirement age. As these experienced employees retire, we may have difficulty
replacing them at competitive wages.
Our expenditures for post-retirement benefit and pension obligations could be materially higher than we have
predicted if our underlying assumptions differ from actual outcomes, there are mine closures, or our joint venture
partners fail to perform their obligations that relate to employee pension plans.
We provide defined benefit pension plans and OPEB to certain eligible union and non-union employees in the
U.S., including our share of expense and funding obligations with respect to unconsolidated ventures. Our pension
expense and our required contributions to our pension plans are affected directly by the value of plan assets, the projected
and actual rate of return on plan assets, and the actuarial assumptions we use to measure our defined benefit pension
plan obligations, including the rate at which future obligations are discounted.
We cannot predict whether changing market or economic conditions, regulatory changes or other factors will
increase our pension expenses or our funding obligations, diverting funds we would otherwise apply to other uses.
We have calculated our unfunded pension and OPEB obligations based on a number of assumptions. If our
assumptions do not materialize as expected, cash expenditures and costs that we incur could be materially higher.
Moreover, we cannot be certain that regulatory changes will not increase our obligations to provide these or additional
benefits. These obligations also may increase substantially in the event of adverse medical cost trends or unexpected
rates of early retirement, particularly for bargaining unit retirees.
30
We depend on our senior management team and other key employees, and the loss of these employees could
adversely affect our business.
Our success depends in part on our ability to attract and motivate our senior management and key employees.
Achieving this objective may be difficult due to a variety of factors, including fluctuations in the global economic and
industry conditions, competitors’ hiring practices, cost reduction activities, and the effectiveness of our compensation
programs. Competition for qualified personnel can be intense. We must continue to recruit, retain, and motivate our
senior management and key personnel in order to maintain our business and support our projects. A loss of senior
management and key personnel could prevent us from capitalizing on business opportunities, and our operating results
could be adversely affected.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
We have no unresolved comments from the SEC.
31
Item 2.
Properties
The following map shows the locations of our operations and offices as of December 31, 2016:
General Information about the Mines
All of our iron ore mining operations are open-pit mines. Additional pit development is underway as required by
long-range mine plans. At our U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore mines, drilling programs are conducted periodically
to collect modeling data and for refining ongoing operations.
Geologic models are developed for all mines to define the major ore and waste rock types. Computerized block
models for iron ore are constructed that include all relevant geologic and metallurgical data. These are used to generate
grade and tonnage estimates, followed by detailed mine design and life of mine operating schedules.
U.S. Iron Ore
The following map shows the locations of our U.S. Iron Ore operations as of December 31, 2016:
We currently own or co-own four operating iron ore mines and one indefinitely idled mine in Michigan and
Minnesota from which we produced 16.0 million, 19.3 million and 22.4 million long tons of iron ore pellets in 2016, 2015
and 2014, respectively, for our account. We produced 7.4 million, 6.8 million and 7.3 million long tons, respectively, on
behalf of the steel company partners of the mines.
32
Our U.S. Iron Ore mines produce from deposits located within the Biwabik and Negaunee Iron Formation, which
are classified as Lake Superior type iron formations that formed under similar sedimentary conditions in shallow marine
basins approximately two billion years ago. Magnetite and hematite are the predominant iron oxide ore minerals present,
with lesser amounts of goethite and limonite. Quartz is the predominant waste mineral present, with lesser amounts of
other chiefly iron bearing silicate and carbonate minerals. The ore minerals liberate from the waste minerals upon fine
grinding.
Mine
Empire3
Cliffs
Ownership
79%
Tilden
85%
Hibbing
23%
Northshore
100%
United
Taconite
100%
Infrastructure Mineralization
Operating
Since
Current
Annual
Capacity1,2
2016
Production1,2
Mineral
Owned
Rights
Leased
Mine,
Concentrator,
Pelletizer
Mine,
Concentrator,
Pelletizer,
Railroad
Mine,
Concentrator,
Pelletizer
Mine,
Concentrator,
Pelletizer,
Railroad
Mine,
Concentrator,
Pelletizer
Magnetite
1963
*
2.8
53%
47%
Hematite &
Magnetite
1974
Magnetite
1976
Magnetite
1990
Magnetite
1965
8.0
8.0
6.0
5.4
7.6
100%
—%
8.2
3.2
1.5
3%
97%
—%
100%
—%
100%
1 Reported on a wet basis in millions of long tons, equivalent to 2,240 pounds.
2 Figures reported on 100% basis.
3 Empire was indefinitely idled beginning on August 3, 2016.
* Historically, Empire had an annual capacity of 5.5 million long tons; currently indefinitely idled.
Empire Mine
The Empire mine is located on the Marquette Iron Range in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula approximately 15 miles
southwest of Marquette, Michigan. The Empire mine has produced between 2.8 million and 4.3 million long tons of iron
ore pellets annually over the past five years. Of the total long tons of iron ore pellets produced by Empire from 2012 to
2015, between 0.8 million and 2.4 million long tons were tolled to Tilden mine annually. Empire did not toll tons to Tilden
during 2016. Empire was indefinitely idled beginning on August 3, 2016. We plan to continue shipping Empire's remaining
pellet inventory into 2017.
We own 79% of Empire and a subsidiary of ArcelorMittal USA has the remaining 21% ownership in Empire with
limited rights and obligations, which it has a unilateral right to put to us at any time. This right has not been exercised.
Prior to the indefinite idle, each partner took its share of production pro rata; however, provisions in the partnership
agreement allowed additional or reduced production to be delivered under certain circumstances. As part of a 2014
extension agreement between us and ArcelorMittal, which amended certain terms of the partnership agreement, certain
minimum distributions of the partners’ equity amounts are required to be made on a quarterly basis beginning in the first
quarter of 2015 and continued through January 2017. The partnership dissolved on December 31, 2016 and the partners
are in discussion regarding distribution of the remaining assets and/or equity interest, if any, in the partnership. Prior to
the indefinite idle, operations consisted of an open pit truck and shovel mine, a concentrator that utilizes single stage
crushing, AG mills, magnetic separation and floatation to produce a magnetite concentrate that is then supplied to the
on-site pellet plant. From the site, pellets were transported by CN rail to a ship loading port at Escanaba, Michigan,
operated by CN.
33
Tilden Mine
The Tilden mine is located on the Marquette Iron Range in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula approximately five miles
south of Ishpeming, Michigan. Over the past five years, the Tilden mine has produced between 7.5 million and 7.6 million
long tons of iron ore pellets annually. We own 85% of Tilden, with the remaining minority interest owned by a subsidiary
of U.S. Steel. Each partner takes its share of production pro rata; however, provisions in the partnership agreement
allow additional or reduced production to be delivered under certain circumstances. We own all of the ore reserves at
the Tilden mine and lease them to Tilden. Operations consist of an open pit truck and shovel mine, a concentrator that
utilizes single stage crushing, AG mills, magnetite separation and floatation to produce hematite and magnetic
concentrates that are then supplied to the on-site pellet plant. From the site, pellets are transported by Cliffs' LS&I rail
to a ship loading port at Marquette, Michigan, operated by Cliffs' LS&I.
Hibbing Mine
The Hibbing mine is located in the center of Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range and is approximately ten miles north
of Hibbing, Minnesota and five miles west of Chisholm, Minnesota. Over the past five years, the Hibbing mine has
produced between 7.7 million and 8.2 million long tons of iron ore pellets annually. We own 23% of Hibbing, a subsidiary
of ArcelorMittal has a 62.3% interest and a subsidiary of U.S. Steel has a 14.7% interest. Each partner takes its share
of production pro rata; however, provisions in the joint venture agreement allow additional or reduced production to be
delivered under certain circumstances. Mining is conducted on multiple mineral leases having varying expiration dates.
Mining leases routinely are renegotiated and renewed as they approach their respective expiration dates. Hibbing
operations consist of an open pit truck and shovel mine, a concentrator that utilizes single stage crushing, AG mills and
magnetic separation to produce a magnetite concentrate, which is then delivered to an on-site pellet plant. From the
site, pellets are transported by BNSF rail to a ship loading port at Superior, Wisconsin, operated by BNSF.
Northshore Mine
The Northshore mine is located in northeastern Minnesota, approximately two miles south of Babbitt, Minnesota,
on the northeastern end of the Mesabi Iron Range. Northshore’s processing facilities are located in Silver Bay, Minnesota,
near Lake Superior. Over the past five years, the Northshore mine has produced between 3.2 million and 5.3 million
long tons of iron ore pellets annually. One of the four furnaces in the Northshore pellet plant was idled in January 2015.
We ran a three furnace operation throughout 2015 until the complete idle of Northshore mine in late November 2015
through May 2016. We restarted all four furnaces in May 2016. The temporary idle was a result of historic levels of steel
imports into the U.S. and reduced demand from our steel-producing customers.
The Northshore mine began production under our management and ownership on October 1, 1994. We own
100% of the mine. Mining is conducted on multiple mineral leases having varying expiration dates. Mining leases
routinely are renegotiated and renewed as they approach their respective expiration dates. Northshore operations consist
of an open pit truck and shovel mine where two stages of crushing occur before the ore is transported along a wholly
owned 47-mile rail line to the plant site in Silver Bay. At the plant site, two additional stages of crushing occur before the
ore is sent to the concentrator. The concentrator utilizes rod mills and magnetic separation to produce a magnetite
concentrate, which is delivered to the pellet plant located on-site. The plant site has its own ship loading port located
on Lake Superior.
United Taconite Mine
The United Taconite mine is located on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range in and around the city of Eveleth,
Minnesota. The United Taconite concentrator and pelletizing facilities are located ten miles south of the mine, near the
town of Forbes, Minnesota. Over the past five years, the United Taconite mine has produced between 1.5 million and
5.4 million long tons of iron ore pellets annually. United Taconite was temporarily idled beginning the first week of August
2015. We restarted the United Taconite operation during August 2016. The temporary idle was a result of historic levels
of steel imports into the U.S. and reduced demand from our steel-producing customers.
We own 100% of the United Taconite mine. Mining is conducted on multiple mineral leases having varying
expiration dates. Mining leases routinely are renegotiated and renewed as they approach their respective expiration
dates. United Taconite operations consist of an open pit truck and shovel mine where two stages of crushing occur
before the ore is transported by rail, operated by CN, to the plant site. At the plant site an additional stage of crushing
occurs before the ore is sent to the concentrator. The concentrator utilizes rod mills and magnetic separation to produce
a magnetite concentrate, which is delivered to the pellet plant. From the site, pellets are transported by CN rail to a ship
loading port at Duluth, Minnesota, operated by CN.
34
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
The following map shows the location of our Asia Pacific Iron Ore operation as of December 31, 2016:
In Australia, we own and operate the Koolyanobbing operations. We produced 11.8 million, 11.7 million and 11.4
million metric tons of iron ore products in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The mineralization at the Koolyanobbing operations is predominantly hematite and goethite replacements in
greenstone-hosted banded iron formations. Individual deposits tend to be small with complex ore-waste contact
relationships. The reserves at the Koolyanobbing operations are derived from 10 separate mineral deposits distributed
over a 70 mile operating radius.
Mine
Koolyanobbing
Cliffs
Ownership Infrastructure Mineralization
100%
Mine, Road
Haulage,
Crushing-
Screening
Plant
Hematite &
Goethite
Operating
Since
1994
Current
Annual
Capacity1
11.0
2016
Production1
11.8
Mineral
Owned
—%
Rights
Leased
100%
1 Reported on a wet basis in millions of metric tons, equivalent to 2,205 pounds.
Koolyanobbing
The Koolyanobbing operations are located 250 miles east of Perth and approximately 30 miles northeast of the
town of Southern Cross. Koolyanobbing produces lump and fines iron ore. Mining is conducted on multiple mineral
leases having varying expiration dates. Mining leases routinely are renewed as they approach their respective expiration
dates.
Over the past five years, the Koolyanobbing operation has produced between 10.7 million and 11.8 million metric
tons of iron ore products annually. During 2016, ore material was sourced from eight separate open pit mines and was
delivered by typical production trucks or road trains to a crushing and screening facility located at Koolyanobbing. All of
the ore from the Koolyanobbing operations is transported by rail to the Port of Esperance, 360 miles to the south, for
shipment to Asian customers.
Mineral Policy
We have a corporate policy prescribing internal controls and procedures with respect to auditing and estimating
of minerals. The procedures contained in the policy include the calculation of mineral estimates at each property by our
engineers, geologists and accountants, as well as third-party consultants. Management compiles and reviews the
calculations, and once finalized, such information is used to prepare the disclosures for our annual and quarterly reports.
The disclosures are reviewed and approved by management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial
officer. Additionally, the long-range mine planning and mineral estimates are reviewed annually by our Audit Committee.
Furthermore, all changes to mineral estimates, other than those due to production, are adequately documented and
submitted to senior operations officers for review and approval. Finally, periodic reviews of long-range mine plans and
mineral reserve estimates are conducted at mine staff meetings, senior management meetings and by independent
experts.
35
Mineral Reserves
Reserves are defined by SEC Industry Standard Guide 7 as that part of a mineral deposit that could be
economically and legally extracted and produced at the time of the reserve determination. All reserves are classified as
proven or probable and are supported by life-of-mine plans.
Reserve estimates are based on pricing that does not exceed the three-year trailing average index price of iron
ore adjusted to our realized price. For the three-year period 2014 to 2016, the average international index price of Platts
62% Fe CFR China was $70 per dry metric ton.
We evaluate and analyze mineral reserve estimates in accordance with our mineral policy and SEC requirements.
The table below identifies the year in which the latest reserve estimate was completed.
Property
Date of Latest Economic
Reserve Analysis
U.S. Iron Ore
Tilden
Hibbing
Northshore
United Taconite
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Koolyanobbing
2015
2015
2015
2016
2013
Ore reserve estimates for our iron ore mines as of December 31, 2016 were estimated from fully designed open
pits developed using three-dimensional modeling techniques. These fully designed pits incorporate design slopes,
practical mining shapes and access ramps to assure the accuracy of our reserve estimates. A new reserve estimate
was completed for our United Taconite operation in 2016. All other operations' reserves have been adjusted net of 2016
production.
36
U.S. Iron Ore
All tonnages reported for our U.S. Iron Ore operating segment are in long tons of 2,240 pounds, have been
rounded to the nearest 100,000 and are reported on a 100% basis.
U.S. Iron Ore Mineral Reserves
as of December 31, 2016
(In Millions of Long Tons)
Proven
Probable
Proven & Probable
Saleable Product2,3
Previous Year
Property
Empire
Tilden1
Hibbing
Cliffs
Share
—%
—
85%
285.1
23%
208.3
Northshore
100%
250.6
Tonnage % Grade
Tonnage % Grade
Tonnage
—
34.7
19.5
24.9
—
82.7
24.7
557.4
—
33.9
19.6
24.2
—
367.8
233.0
808.0
%
Grade5
—
Process
Recovery4 Tonnage
—
—%
P&P
Crude
Ore
Saleable
Product
8.6
3.2
34.5
19.5
24.4
37%
27%
32%
136.3
389.1
143.6
61.7
263.2
69.7
261.1
817.6
264.3
United
Taconite
Totals
100%
427.3
22.6
415.5
21.9
842.8
22.3
32%
269.3
466.8
156.2
1,171.3
1,080.3
2,251.6
728.4
1,945.3
637.0
1 Tilden hematite reported grade is percent FeT; all other properties are percent magnetic iron
2 Saleable product is a standard pellet containing 60% to 66% Fe calculated from both proven and probable mineral reserves
3 Saleable product is reported on a dry basis; shipped products typically contain 1% to 4% moisture
4 Process recovery includes all factors for converting crude ore tonnage to saleable product
5 Cutoff grades are 15% magnetic iron for Hibbing and Empire, 17% for United Taconite, 19% for Northshore. Cutoff for Tilden
hematite is 25% FeT
A new economic reserve estimate was completed for United Taconite in 2016. Based on this analysis, saleable
product reserves increased by 115 million long tons as a result of an updated life-of-mine plan and production schedule
that now include previously developed mine areas south of our current operations commonly referred to as the South
Pit. This area had previously been considered as mineralized material until an economically scheduled mine plan was
developed.
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
All tonnages reported for our Asia Pacific Iron Ore operating segment are in metric tons of 2,205 pounds, have
been rounded to the nearest 100,000 and are reported on a 100% basis.
Asia Pacific Iron Ore Mineral Reserves
as of December 31, 2016
(In Millions of Metric Tons)1
Probable
Proven
Proven & Probable
Previous Year Total
Property
Koolyanobbing
Cliffs
Share
100%
Tonnage
% Fe
Tonnage
1.7
57.2
41.0
% Fe
59.6
Tonnage
42.7
% Fe2
59.5
Tonnage
49.1
1 Tonnages reported are saleable product reported on a dry basis; shipped products contain approximately 5% moisture
2 Cutoff grade is 54% FeT
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
Empire NPDES Permit Enforcement. Empire received an enforcement letter on December 22, 2015 from the
MDEQ alleging exceedances of the selenium effluent limit in 2014 and 2015. The alleged exceedances were resolved
through an Administrative Consent Order which included payment of a civil penalty of $95,000.
ERISA Litigation. On May 14, 2015, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
captioned Paul Saumer, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. et al.,
37
No. 1:15-CV-00954. This action was purportedly brought on behalf of the Northshore and Silver Bay Power Company
Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan") and certain participants and beneficiaries of the Plan during the class period, defined
in the complaint as April 2, 2012 to the present, against Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., its investment committee, Northshore,
the Employee Benefits Administration Department of Northshore, and certain current and former officers. Plaintiff
amended the complaint to name as defendants additional current and former employees who served on the investment
committee. The suit alleges that the defendants breached their duties to the plaintiffs and the Plan in violation of ERISA
fiduciary rules by, among other things, continuing to offer and hold Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. stock as a Plan investment
option during the class period. The relief sought includes a request for a judgment ordering the defendants to make
good to the Plan all losses to the Plan resulting from the alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. The lawsuit has been
referred to our insurance carriers. On April 1, 2016, the Court granted defendants' motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Plaintiff
filed an appeal, which is currently pending in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Exchange Offer Litigation. On March 14, 2016, a putative class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York captioned Waxman et al. v. Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., No. 1:16-cv-01899. Generally,
the lawsuit alleges that the exchange offers for certain of our existing senior notes announced on January 27, 2016
violated the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "TIA") and breached the indentures governing the senior notes subject to
the exchange offers because the exchange offers were offered only to certain noteholders that were qualified institutional
buyers ("QIBs") and not to non-QIBs. The suit seeks class certification with respect to non-QIB noteholders of the 5.90%
Senior Notes due 2020 and the 6.25% Senior Notes due 2040 (collectively, the “Class Notes”), which QIBs were permitted
to exchange for newly-issued 1.5 Lien Notes. Plaintiffs allege that the exchange offers had the effect of subordinating
their Class Notes to those of the QIBs who elected to exchange their notes and also impaired the Plaintiffs’ rights to
receive payment of the principal and interest under the Class Notes and to institute suit to compel such payment. In
addition to alleged violation of the TIA and breach of contract, Plaintiffs seek unspecified damages for breach of the
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and unjust enrichment, and also seek declaratory judgment that the
exchange offers are null and void. On May 16, 2016, we filed a motion to dismiss this lawsuit, which was granted on
December 6, 2016.
Michigan Electricity Matters. See NOTE 20 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES included in Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of the FERC
proceedings to determine, among other things, allocation of SSR costs, whether retroactive surcharges are permissible
and the total amount of SSR compensation, all of which is currently subject to appeal. Such description is incorporated
by reference into this Item 3.
Taconite MACT Compliance Review. EPA Region 5 issued Notices of Violation during the first quarter of 2014
to Empire, Tilden and United Taconite related to alleged historical violations of the Taconite MACT rule and certain
elements of the respective state-issued Title V operating permits. Where not already resolved, the facilities continue to
implement actions that limit or completely eliminate any future exposures. EPA has proposed, and Cliffs has agreed to,
a tolling agreement which targets a completion of the enforcement action by June 2017. EPA is in the process of drafting
final orders but has not yet indicated the scale of any penalty or additional injunctive relief that may be required as part
of a final resolution. While the matter has been referred to the DOJ for enforcement, it is not anticipated currently to
have a material adverse impact on our business.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
We are committed to protecting the occupational health and well-being of each of our employees. Safety is one
of our core values, and we strive to ensure that safe production is the first priority for all employees. Our internal objective
is to achieve zero injuries and incidents across the Company by focusing on proactively identifying needed prevention
activities, establishing standards and evaluating performance to mitigate any potential loss to people, equipment,
production and the environment. We have implemented intensive employee training that is geared toward maintaining
a high level of awareness and knowledge of safety and health issues in the work environment through the development
and coordination of requisite information, skills and attitudes. We believe that through these policies, we have developed
an effective safety management system.
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, each operator of a coal or other mine is required to include certain mine safety results
within its periodic reports filed with the SEC. As required by the reporting requirements included in §1503(a) of the Dodd-
Frank Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K, the required mine safety results regarding certain mining safety and health
matters for each of our mine locations that are covered under the scope of the Dodd-Frank Act are included in Exhibit
95 of Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
38
Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases
of Equity Securities
PART II
Stock Exchange Information
Our common shares (ticker symbol CLF) are listed on the NYSE.
Common Share Price Performance and Dividends
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per common share as
reported on the NYSE:
First Quarter
$
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Year
2016
2015
High
Low
High
Low
$
3.75
5.83
8.45
10.90
10.90
$
1.20
2.77
5.19
4.91
1.20
$
9.39
6.87
4.53
3.73
9.39
4.12
4.27
2.28
1.42
1.42
At February 6, 2017, we had 1,240 shareholders of record.
We did not declare or pay any cash dividends on our common shares during the years ended December 31,
2016 or 2015. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common shares in the near future. Any
determination to pay dividends on our common shares in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and
dependent upon then-existing conditions, including our operating results and financial condition, capital requirements,
contractual restrictions, business prospects and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. Additionally,
the agreement governing our ABL Facility contains, and agreements governing any of our future debt may contain,
covenants and other restrictions that, in certain circumstances, could limit the level of dividends that we are able to pay
on our common shares. There can be no assurance that we will pay a dividend in the future.
39
Shareholder Return Performance
The following graph shows changes over the past five-year period in the value of $100 invested in: (1) Cliffs'
common shares; (2) S&P 500 Stock Index; (3) S&P Smallcap 600 Index; and (4) S&P Metals and Mining ETF Index.
The values of each investment are based on price change plus reinvestment of all dividends reported to shareholders,
based on monthly granularity.
Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return
Assumes Initial Investment of $100
December 2016
250.00
200.00
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
S&P 500 Index
S&P Smallcap 600 Index
S&P Metals and Mining ETF
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Return %
Cum $
100.00
S&P 500 Index - Total Returns Return %
2011
S&P Smallcap 600 Index
Cum $
Return %
Cum $
100.00
100.00
S&P Metals and Mining ETF
Return %
Cum $
100.00
2012
-34.76
65.24
15.98
115.98
16.30
116.00
-6.60
93.40
2013
-30.17
45.56
32.36
153.51
41.29
164.32
-5.37
88.38
2014
-71.56
12.96
13.69
174.52
5.73
173.74
9.77
97.02
2015
-77.87
2.87
1.38
176.93
-2.00
170.26
-50.51
48.01
2016
432.32
15.26
11.93
198.04
26.43
215.26
105.99
98.90
40
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table presents information with respect to repurchases by us of our common shares during the
periods indicated.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Total Number of
Shares
(or Units)
Purchased1
Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit)
1,282 $
— $
31,090 $
32,372 $
5.85
—
8.41
8.31
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
—
—
—
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares (or
Units) that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
—
—
—
—
—
Period
October 1 - 31, 2016
November 1 - 30, 2016
December 1 - 31, 2016
Total
1 These shares were delivered to us to satisfy tax withholding obligations due upon the vesting or payment of stock awards.
Debt-for-Equity Exchanges
On December 22, 2016, we entered into a privately negotiated exchange agreement whereby we issued an
aggregate of 0.4 million common shares in exchange for $3.8 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.875% senior
notes due 2021. Accordingly, we recognized a gain of $0.2 million in Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt in
the Statements of Consolidated Operations for the three months ended December 31, 2016.
On November 18, 2016, we entered into privately negotiated exchange agreements whereby we issued an
aggregate of 1.9 million common shares in exchange for $3.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.80% senior
notes due 2020 and $12.5 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.875% senior notes due 2021. Accordingly, we
recognized a gain of $1.5 million in Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt in the Statements of Consolidated
Operations for the three months ended December 31, 2016.
These debt-for-equity exchanges together represented less than 1% of our outstanding common shares. The
issuances of the common shares in exchange for our senior notes due 2020 and 2021 were made in reliance on the
exemption from registration provided in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.
41
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
Summary of Financial and Other Statistical Data - Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and Subsidiaries
2013 (d)
2015 (b)
2014 (c)
2016 (a)
2012 (e)
Financial data (in millions, except per share amounts) *
Revenue from product sales and services
$
2,109.0
$
2,013.3
$
3,373.2
$ 3,890.8
$ 3,982.7
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses
Other operating expense
Operating income
Income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income (loss)
Loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to Cliffs shareholders
Preferred stock dividends
Income (loss) attributable to Cliffs common shareholders
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to
Cliffs common shareholders - basic
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to
Cliffs common shareholders - basic
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to
Cliffs common shareholders - diluted
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to
Cliffs common shareholders - diluted
Total assets
Long-term debt obligations (including capital leases)
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Distributions to preferred shareholders cash dividends (f)
- Per depositary share
- Total
Distributions to common shareholders cash dividends (g)
- Per share
- Total
Repurchases of common shares
Common shares outstanding - basic (millions)
- Average for year
- At year-end
(1,719.7)
(148.5)
240.8
219.2
(19.9)
199.3
(25.2)
174.1
—
174.1
0.98
(0.10)
0.88
0.97
(0.10)
0.87
1,923.9
2,213.5
303.0
(57.9)
(206.4)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
— $
— $
— $
— $
—
197.7
233.1
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Iron ore production and sales statistics
(long tons in millions - U.S. Iron Ore; metric tons in millions - Asia Pacific Iron Ore)
Production tonnage - U.S. Iron Ore
- U.S. Iron Ore (Cliffs' share)
- Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Sales tonnage - U.S. Iron Ore
- Asia Pacific Iron Ore
23.4
16.0
11.8
18.2
11.6
42
(1,776.8)
(2,487.5)
(2,406.4)
(2,438.4)
(85.2)
151.3
143.7
(892.1)
(748.4)
(0.9)
(749.3)
(38.4)
(755.6)
130.1
56.4
(8,368.0)
(8,311.6)
1,087.4
(7,224.2)
(51.2)
(104.1)
1,380.3
878.9
(517.1)
361.8
51.7
413.5
(48.7)
(239.3)
1,305
336.4
(1,463.0)
(1,126.6)
227.2
(899.4)
—
(787.7)
$ (7,275.4)
$
364.8
$
(899.4)
0.63
$
(0.14)
(5.77)
(47.38)
(5.14)
$
(47.52)
$
$
$
$
5.37
(2.97)
2.40
4.95
(2.58)
2.37
$
$
$
$
2.19
(8.51)
(6.32)
2.18
(8.48)
(6.30)
$ 13,102.9
$ 13,549.6
$ 2,968.4
$ 4,081.7
(0.14)
(47.38)
(47.52)
3,147.2
2,911.5
358.9
$ 1,145.9
(103.6)
(288.3)
1.76
51.2
0.60
92.5
—
153.1
153.2
29.7
22.4
11.4
21.8
11.5
$
$
$
$
$
$
(811.3)
(171.9)
1.66
48.7
0.60
91.9
—
151.7
153.1
27.2
20.3
11.1
21.3
11.0
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
514.5
(961.8)
(119.6)
—
—
2.16
307.2
—
142.4
142.5
29.5
22.0
11.3
21.6
11.7
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.63
(5.76)
(5.13)
2,135.5
2,755.6
37.9
(103.2)
61.0
1.32
38.4
—
—
—
153.2
153.6
26.1
19.3
11.7
17.3
11.6
* Management determined as of March 31, 2015, that our North American Coal operating segment met the criteria to be classified as held for sale
under ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements. The North American Coal segment continued to meet the criteria throughout 2015 until
we sold our North American Coal operations during the fourth quarter of 2015. As such, all current and historical North American Coal operating
segment results are included in our financial statements and classified within discontinued operations. On January 27, 2015, we announced
that the Bloom Lake Group commenced restructuring proceedings (the "Bloom Filing") under the CCAA with the Québec Superior Court
(Commercial Division) in Montreal (the “Court”). At that time, the Bloom Lake Group was no longer generating revenues and was not able to
meet its obligations as they came due. The Bloom Filing addressed the Bloom Lake Group's immediate liquidity issues and permits the Bloom
Lake Group to preserve and protect its assets for the benefit of all stakeholders while restructuring and sale options are explored. As part of the
CCAA process, the Court approved the appointment of a Monitor and certain other financial advisors. Additionally, on May 20, 2015, we announced
that the Wabush Group commenced restructuring proceedings (the "Wabush Filing") with the Court under the CCAA. As a result of this action,
the CCAA protections granted to the Bloom Lake Group were extended to include the Wabush Group to facilitate the reorganization of each of
their businesses and operations. The Wabush Group was no longer generating revenues and was not able to meet its obligations as they came
due. The inclusion of the Wabush Group in the existing Bloom Filing facilitated a more comprehensive restructuring and sale process of both
the Bloom Lake Group and the Wabush Group which collectively included mine, port and rail assets. As part of the Wabush Filing, the Court
approved the appointment of a Monitor and certain other financial advisors. The Monitor of the Wabush Group is also the Monitor of the Bloom
Lake Group. Financial results prior to the respective deconsolidations of the Bloom Lake and Wabush Groups and subsequent expenses directly
associated with the Canadian Entities are included in our financial statements and classified within discontinued operations.
(a) During 2016, we recorded a net gain of $166.3 million related to debt restructuring activities that occurred throughout the year including the
issuance of $218.5 million aggregate principal of 1.5 Lien Senior Notes due 2020 in exchange for $512.2 of our existing senior notes, the issuance
of an aggregate of 8.2 million shares in exchange for $56.9 million aggregate principal of our existing senior notes and a loss on the full redemption
of our $283.6 million outstanding 2018 senior notes at a total redemption price of $301.0 million. We also issued 44.4 million common shares
in an underwritten public offering. We received net proceeds of approximately $287.6 million at a public offering price of $6.75 per common share.
(b) On January 27, 2015, we announced the Bloom Filing with the Court under the CCAA. Additionally, on May 20, 2015, we announced the Wabush
Filing with the Court under the CCAA. As a result of this action, the CCAA protections granted to the Bloom Lake Group were extended to include
the Wabush Group to facilitate the reorganization of each of their businesses and operations. Consistent with our strategy to extract maximum
value from our current assets, on December 22, 2015, we sold our equity interests in all the remaining North American Coal operations to Seneca.
The sale included the Pinnacle mine in West Virginia and the Oak Grove mine in Alabama. Additionally, Seneca may pay Cliffs an earn-out of
up to $50 million contingent upon the terms of a revenue sharing agreement, which extends through the year 2020. As noted above, all current
and historical North American Coal operating segment results are included in our financial statements and classified within discontinued operations.
(c) During 2014, we recorded an impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets of $73.5 million. The goodwill impairment charge of $73.5 million
related to our Asia Pacific Iron Ore reporting unit. There were also other long-lived asset impairment charges of $562.0 million related to our
continuing operations including the Asia Pacific Iron Ore operating segment and our Other reportable segments. The other long-lived asset
impairment charges which related to our discontinued operations were $8,394.4 million related to our Wabush operation and Bloom Lake operation
within our Eastern Canadian Iron Ore operating segment, and our CLCC thermal operation, Oak Grove operation and Pinnacle operation within
our North American Coal operating segment, along with impairments charged to reporting units within our Other reportable segments. The
impairment charges were primarily a result of changes in life-of-mine cash flows due to declining pricing for both global iron ore and low-volatile
metallurgical coal, which impacts our estimate of long-term pricing, along with changes in strategic focus including exploratory phases of possible
divestiture of the operations as the new CODM viewed Eastern Canadian Iron Ore, Asia Pacific Iron Ore, North American Coal and Ferroalloys
as non-core assets. The CLCC assets were sold in the fourth quarter of 2014 on December 31, 2014, resulting in a loss on sale of $419.6 million.
As noted above, all current and historical North American Coal operating segment results are included in our financial statements and classified
within discontinued operations.
(d) Upon performing our annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2013, a goodwill impairment charge of $80.9 million was recorded
for our Cliffs Chromite Ontario and Cliffs Chromite Far North reporting units within our Ferroalloys operating segment. We also recorded other
long-lived asset impairment charges of $169.9 million, of which $154.6 million relates to our Wabush reporting unit within our Eastern Canadian
Iron Ore operating segment to reduce those assets to their estimated fair value as of December 31, 2013. These reporting units were included
within the entities under the CCAA filing. As noted above, financial results prior to the respective deconsolidations of the Bloom Lake and Wabush
Groups and subsequent expenses directly associated with the Canadian Entities are included in our financial statements and classified within
discontinued operations.
(e) Upon performing our annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2012, goodwill impairment charges of $997.3 million and $2.7 million
were recorded for our CQIM and Wabush reporting units, respectively, both within the Eastern Canadian Iron Ore operating segment. We also
recorded an impairment charge of $49.9 million related to our Eastern Canadian Iron Ore operations to reduce those assets to their estimated
fair value as of December 31, 2012, due to the idling of the pelletizing facility at Pointe Noire. The Eastern Canadian Iron Ore operations were
included within the entities under the Bloom Filing and Wabush Filing. As noted above, financial results prior to the respective deconsolidations
of the Bloom Lake and Wabush Groups and subsequent expenses directly associated with the Canadian Entities are included in our financial
statements and classified within discontinued operations. On July 10, 2012, we entered into a definitive share and asset sale agreement to sell
our 45% economic interest in the Sonoma joint venture coal mine located in Queensland, Australia. On January 4, 2012, we entered into an
agreement to sell the renewaFUEL assets to RNFL Acquisition LLC. The results of operations of the Sonoma joint venture and renewaFUEL
operations are reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.
(f) On March 20, 2013, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $13.6111 per Preferred Share, which is equivalent to approximately $0.34
per depositary share. The cash dividend was paid on May 1, 2013, to our Preferred Shareholders of record as of the close of business on April
15, 2013. On May 7, 2013, September 9, 2013, and November 11, 2013, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $17.50
per Preferred Share, which is equivalent to approximately $0.44 per depositary share. The cash dividends were paid on August 1, 2013, November
1, 2013, and February 3, 2014 to our Preferred Shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 15, 2013, October 15, 2013, and
January 15, 2014, respectively. On February 11, 2014, May 13, 2014, September 8, 2014, and November 19, 2014, our Board of Directors
declared a quarterly cash dividend of $17.50 per Preferred Share, which is equivalent to approximately $0.44 per depositary share. The cash
dividends were paid on May 1, 2014, August 1, 2014, November 3, 2014, and February 2, 2015, to our Preferred Shareholders of record as of
the close of business on April 15, 2014, July 15, 2014, October 15, 2014, and January 15, 2015, respectively. On March 27, 2015, July 1, 2015,
and September 10, 2015, our Board of Directors declared the quarterly cash dividend of $17.50 per Preferred Share, which is equivalent to
approximately $0.44 per depositary share. The cash dividend was paid on May 1, 2015, August 3, 2015, and November 2, 2015 to our shareholders
of record as of the close of business on April 15, 2015, July 15, 2015, and October 15, 2015, respectively. On January 4, 2016, we announced
that our Board of Directors determined the final quarterly dividend of our Preferred Shares would not be paid in cash, but instead, pursuant to
the terms of the Preferred Shares, the conversion rate was increased such that holders of the Preferred Shares received additional common
shares in lieu of the accrued dividend at the time of the mandatory conversion of the Preferred Shares on February 1, 2016. The number of our
common shares in the aggregate issued in lieu of the dividend was 1.3 million. This resulted in an effective conversion rate of 0.9052 common
shares, rather than 0.8621 common shares, per depositary share, each representing 1/40th of a Preferred Share. Upon conversion on February
1, 2016, an aggregate of 26.5 million common shares were issued, representing 25.2 million common shares issuable upon conversion and 1.3
million that were issued in lieu of a final cash dividend.
43
(g) On February 11, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a reduction to our quarterly cash dividend rate by 76% to $0.15 per share. The decreased
dividend of $0.15 per share was paid on March 1, 2013, June 3, 2013, September 3, 2013, and December 2, 2013 to our common shareholders
of record as of the close of business on February 22, 2013, May 17, 2013, August 15, 2013, and November 22, 2013, respectively. Additionally,
in 2014, the dividend of $0.15 per share was paid on March 3, 2014, June 3, 2014, September 2, 2014 and December 1, 2014 to our common
shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 21, 2014, May 23, 2014, August 15, 2014, and November 15, 2014, respectively.
On January 26, 2015, we announced that our Board of Directors had decided to eliminate the quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share on our
common shares. The decision was applicable to the first quarter of 2015 and all subsequent quarters.
44
Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is designed
to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on our financial
condition, results of operations, liquidity and other factors that may affect our future results. The following discussion
should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in
this document.
Industry Overview
The key driver of our business is demand for steelmaking raw materials from U.S. steelmakers. In 2016, the
U.S. produced approximately 79 million metric tons of crude steel or about 5% of total global crude steel production.
This is consistent when compared to U.S. crude steel production in 2015. U.S. total steel capacity utilization was 71%
in 2016, which is an approximate 1% decrease from 2015. Additionally, in 2016, China produced approximately 808
million metric tons of crude steel, or approximately 50% of total global crude steel production. These figures represent
an approximate 1% increase in Chinese crude steel production when compared to 2015. Throughout 2016, global crude
steel production increased about 1% compared to 2015.
During 2016, the Platts 62% Price showed resiliency and outperformed the levels seen in 2015. We believe this
is the result of improved sentiment about steel demand in China and signs of high-cost capacity closures as well as more
disciplined approach to supply instituted by the major iron ore producers, most notably Rio Tinto. Furthermore, major
supply additions from both Brazil and Australia anticipated to come online this year have experienced difficulties ramping
up and completion dates have been further delayed. We believe the new management teams at the major iron ore
producers will continue this disciplined supply approach through 2017, which could help maintain or even improve these
current price levels.
The Platts 62% Price increased 52% to an average price of $70.76 per metric ton for the three months ended
December 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2015. In comparison, the full-year Platts 62%
Price has increased 5% to an average price of $58.45 per metric ton during the year ended December 31, 2016. The
spot price volatility impacts our realized revenue rates, particularly in our Asia Pacific Iron Ore business segment because
its contracts correlate heavily to the Platts 62% Price and to a lesser extent, our U.S. Iron Ore contracts.
Alongside the rally in global iron ore prices, the prices for hot-rolled coil, another important metric in our price
realizations in the U.S., also improved. We believe this is the result of trade cases, which has substantially curbed the
amount of unfairly traded steel imports entering the U.S. In 2017, we believe the market will remain healthy as the new
U.S. administration has placed emphasis on the enforcement of unfairly traded steel as well as repairing the infrastructure
in the U.S., which should support demand for domestic steel. Also, steel inventory levels remain low compared to previous
years, which should help support pricing.
Our consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $2.1 billion and $2.0 billion,
respectively, with net income from continuing operations per diluted share of $0.97 and $0.63, respectively. Net income
from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were impacted positively
as a result of gains on extinguishment/restructuring of debt of $166.3 million and $392.9 million, respectively. Additionally,
results for the year ended December 31, 2015 were impacted negatively by income tax expense primarily due to the
placement of a valuation allowance against U.S. deferred tax assets.
Strategy
We are Focused on our Core U.S. Iron Ore Business
In 2014, we established a strategy centering the Company around our U.S. Iron Ore business. We are the
market-leading iron ore producer in the U.S., supplying differentiated iron ore pellets under long-term contracts to the
largest North American steel producers. We have the unique advantage of being a low cost producer of iron ore pellets
in the U.S. market with significant transportation and logistics advantages to serve the U.S. steel market effectively.
Pricing structures contained in and the long-term supply provided by our existing contracts, along with our low-cost
operating profile, positions U.S. Iron Ore as a strong cash flow generator in most commodity pricing environments. Since
instituting our core strategy of focusing on this business, we have achieved significant accomplishments including
providing volume certainty by signing a new ten-year supply agreement with our largest customer; substantially reducing
operating costs by making various operational improvements; and developing alternate iron unit strategies to provide
opportunities to enter into the EAF end market.
45
Optimized, Divested or Shutdown All Non-Core Business Segments
Given the current and projected constructive iron ore pricing market, we are focused on optimizing the remaining
ore reserve base of our Asia Pacific Iron Ore business. Asia Pacific Iron Ore is a well-recognized and reliable supplier
to steelmakers in Asia. We will continue to operate Asia Pacific Iron Ore with very low total capital expenditures for the
remaining life of the mine.
We commenced restructuring proceedings for our Eastern Canadian Iron Ore businesses under the CCAA in
the first quarter of 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, the CCAA protection granted to the Bloom Lake Group was
extended to include the Wabush Group to facilitate the reorganization of each of their businesses and operations. As
of December 31, 2016, CCAA proceedings are still ongoing and the Monitor is evaluating all claims into the estate.
Currently, there is uncertainty as to the amount of the distribution that will be made to the creditors of the estate, including,
if any to Cliffs, and whether Cliffs could be held liable for claims that may be asserted by or on behalf of the Bloom Lake
Group or the Wabush Group or by their respective representatives against non-debtor affiliates of the Bloom Lake Group
and the Wabush Group. For more information regarding the status of our divestiture of our Eastern Canadian Iron Ore
business, see NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS.
On December 22, 2015, we closed the sale of our remaining North American Coal business, which included the
Pinnacle mine in West Virginia and the Oak Grove mine in Alabama, to Seneca. The sale marked our exit from the coal
business and represents another very important step in the implementation of our U.S. Iron Ore pellet-centric strategy.
Prior to this sale, it was determined by management as of March 31, 2015 that our North American Coal operating
segment met the criteria to be classified as held for sale under ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements. For
more information regarding the sale and the held for sale classification of our North American Coal business, see NOTE
14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS.
Maintaining Discipline on Costs and Capital Spending and Improving our Financial Flexibility
We believe our ability to execute our strategy is dependent on our improving financial position, balance sheet
strength and financial flexibility, which will enable us to manage through the inherent cyclical demand for our products
and volatility in commodity prices. We have developed a highly disciplined financial and capital expenditure plan with a
focus on improving our cost profile and increasing long-term profitability. Our streamlined organization and support
functions are well aligned to best serve our strategic direction. Our capital allocation plan is focused on strengthening
our core U.S. Iron Ore operations to promote greater free cash flow generation.
As the implementation of our strategy has strengthened the business, we have put additional emphasis on the
continued improvement of our balance sheet via continued reduction of long-term debt. Since the 2014 initiation of our
transition strategy, we have reduced the principal of our long-term debt by 21% using various liability management
strategies. Given the cyclical nature of our business, we feel that further reduction of our long-term debt will put us in an
optimal position to manage through any commodity environment, and we continue to seek the best opportunities to
accomplish this.
Competitive Strengths
Resilient U.S. Iron Ore Operations
Our U.S. Iron Ore segment is the core focus of our business strategy. The U.S. Iron Ore segment is the primary
contributor to our consolidated results, generating 74% of consolidated revenue and $359.6 million of consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2016. U.S. Iron Ore produces differentiated iron ore pellets that are
customized for use in customers’ blast furnaces as part of the steelmaking process. The grades of pellets currently
delivered to each customer are based on that customer’s preferences, which depend in part on the characteristics of the
customer’s blast furnace operation. We believe our long history of supplying customized pellets to the U.S. steel producers
has resulted in a co-dependent relationship between us and our customers. This technical and operational co-dependency
has enabled us to claim a substantial portion of the total U.S. iron ore market. Based on Cliffs’ equity ownership in its
U.S. mines, Cliffs’ share of the annual rated production capacity is 20.0 million long tons, representing 40% of total U.S.
annual pellet capacity. Long-lived assets with an average mine life of approximately 30 years provide the opportunity
to maintain our significant market position well into the future.
More than half of U.S. Iron Ore production is sold through long-term contracts that are structured with various
formula-based pricing mechanisms that reference seaborne pricing, inflation factors and steel prices and mitigate the
impact of any one factor's price volatility on our business.
46
In addition, we maintain lower costs compared to our competition as a result of our proximity to U.S. steelmaking
operations. Our costs are lower as a result of inherent transportation advantages associated with our mine locations
near the Great Lakes which allows for transportation via railroads and loading ports. U.S. Iron Ore mines also benefit
from on-site pellet production and ore production facilities located a short distance from the mines.
Competitive Asia Pacific Iron Ore Operations
Although our annual production tonnage is substantially less than our competitors in the seaborne market, the
Asia Pacific Iron Ore business maintains a competitive position with the major Australian iron ore producers. We produce
a product mix of approximately 50% lump ore and 50% fines, which is a significantly higher lump mix than the major
producers in Australia. This lump ore typically commands a premium in the seaborne market over iron ore fines.
Further, our Asia Pacific Iron Ore segment is a cost competitive producer and requires minimal ongoing sustaining
capital expenditures to continue our operations. Going forward, we will continue to operate Asia Pacific Iron Ore with a
clear bias toward cash optimization.
Recent Developments
Changes to our Board of Directors
On October 27, 2016, we appointed Eric M. Rychel to our Board of Directors. Mr. Rychel is Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Aleris Corporation, a privately held company that is a global leader
in aluminum rolled products. He joined Aleris in 2012 and presently leads the global finance activities for the organization.
Mr. Rychel joined the Audit Committee of our Board. With the addition of Mr. Rychel, our Board of Directors is now
comprised of ten members, of which nine are independent. In addition to Mr. Rychel's appointment to the Audit Committee,
we made other changes to our Board Committee assignments. Michael Siegal, who is a current member of our Board
of Directors, has been appointed to the Audit Committee. Additionally, Gabriel Stoliar has stepped down from the Audit
Committee and has been appointed as a member of the Compensation Committee.
Executive Leadership Promotions
On December 14, 2016, our Board of Directors elected P. Kelly Tompkins as the Executive Vice President &
Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2017. Mr. Tompkins most recently was the Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer, a position he held since April 2015. He previously served as Executive Vice President, Business
Development from October 2014 to April 2015, Executive Vice President, External Affairs and President, Global
Commercial from November 2013 to October 2014, Chief Administrative Officer from July 2013 to November 2013,
Executive Vice President, Legal, Government Affairs and Sustainability from May 2010 to July 2013, Chief Legal Officer
from January 2011 to January 2013 and President, Cliffs China from October 2012 to November 2013. In addition, on
December 14, 2016, our Board of Directors elected Timothy K. Flanagan to assume the duties of Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer , effective January 1, 2017. Mr. Flanagan has held several positions since April 2008,
most recently serving as Vice President, Corporate Controller & Chief Accounting Officer since March 2012. He was
Assistant Controller from February 2010 to March 2012, and Director, Internal Audit from April 2008 to February 2010.
Business Segments
The Company’s primary continuing operations are organized and managed according to product category and
geographic location: U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore. As of March 31, 2015, management determined that our
North American Coal operating segment met the criteria to be classified as held for sale under ASC 205, Presentation
of Financial Statements. As such, all current and historical North American Coal operating segment results are included
in our financial statements and classified within discontinued operations. Additionally, as a result of the CCAA filing of
the Bloom Lake Group on January 27, 2015 and the Wabush Group on May 20, 2015, we no longer have a controlling
interest over the Bloom Lake Group and certain other wholly-owned subsidiaries, and we no longer have a controlling
interest over the Wabush Group. The Bloom Lake Group, Wabush Group and certain of each of their wholly-owned
subsidiaries were previously reported as Eastern Canadian Iron Ore and Other reportable segments. As such, we
deconsolidated the Bloom Lake Group and certain other wholly-owned subsidiaries as of January 27, 2015. Additionally,
as a result of the Wabush Filing on May 20, 2015, we deconsolidated certain Wabush Group wholly-owned subsidiaries
effective May 20, 2015. The wholly-owned subsidiaries deconsolidated effective May 20, 2015 are Wabush Group entities
that were not deconsolidated as part of the deconsolidation effective January 27, 2015. Financial results prior to the
respective deconsolidations of the Bloom Lake and Wabush Groups and subsequent expenses directly associated with
the Canadian Entities are included in our financial statements and classified within discontinued operations.
47
Results of Operations – Consolidated
2016 Compared to 2015
The following is a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016
and 2015:
Revenues from product sales and services
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses
Sales margin
Sales margin %
Revenues from Product Sales and Services
(In Millions)
2016
$ 2,109.0
(1,719.7)
389.3
$
2015
$ 2,013.3
(1,776.8)
236.5
$
18.5%
11.7%
Variance
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
95.7
$
$
57.1
152.8
6.8%
Sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $95.7 million, or 4.8%, from 2015, which primarily
was driven by higher sales volume from our U.S. Iron Ore Operations of 932 thousand long tons equating to an increase
in revenue of $73.5 million and higher pricing from our Asia Pacific Iron Ore Operations for an increase of $69.2 million.
The increase in volume mainly was attributable to additional nominated tons from short-term contracts. Higher pricing
and revenue rates were driven by an increase in the Platts 62% Price and a hedging impact in 2015 that was not repeated
in 2016, for increased revenue of $32.7 million and $29.3 million, respectively. These positive movements were partially
offset from lower pricing from our U.S. Iron Ore Operations for a decrease of $62.0 million. Lower pricing primarily was
driven by the negative inflation of certain price indices and the impact of net lower overall contracted pricing terms for
two short-term customer contracts that were based on fixed negotiated rates compared to the prior-year period, which
was based on a different method.
Refer to “Results of Operations – Segment Information" for additional information regarding the specific factors
that impacted revenue during the period.
Cost of Goods Sold and Operating Expenses
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $1,719.7
million and $1,776.8 million, respectively, a decrease of $57.1 million, or 3.2% year-over-year.
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased as a result of
operational efficiencies and cost-cutting efforts across each of our business units, which reduced costs by $114.5 million.
Additionally, lower idle costs and favorable foreign exchange rates decreased costs by $7.8 million and $5.5 million,
respectively, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. These decreases in cost were offset partially by higher
iron ore sales volumes resulting in higher expense of $56.0 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2015.
Refer to “Results of Operations – Segment Information” for additional information regarding the specific factors
that impacted our operating results during the period.
Other Operating Income (Expense)
The following is a summary of other operating income (expense) for the years ended December 31, 2016 and
2015:
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets
Miscellaneous - net
48
(In Millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
$
$
(117.8) $
—
(30.7)
(148.5) $
(110.0) $
(3.3)
28.1
(85.2) $
(7.8)
3.3
(58.8)
(63.3)
Selling, general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $7.8 million
over 2015. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the prior year was driven by an increase
in employment costs of $8.1 million primarily due to incentive compensation and an increase in expenses of $2.1 million
related to a lease abandonment of a corporate office space. These increases were partially offset by a $3.9 million
decrease in IT service costs and legal fees.
The following is a summary of Miscellaneous - net for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
Foreign exchange remeasurement
Michigan Electricity Matters accrual
Management and royalty fees
Empire idle costs
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
Other
(In Millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
$
$
(16.8) $
(12.4)
9.0
(8.2)
(4.8)
2.5
(30.7) $
16.3 $
—
6.4
—
3.4
2.0
28.1 $
(33.1)
(12.4)
2.6
(8.2)
(8.2)
0.5
(58.8)
For the year ended December 31, 2016, there was an incrementally unfavorable impact of $33.1 million driven
by the change in foreign exchange remeasurement of short-term intercompany loans that are denominated in currency
that is not the functional currency of the entity that holds the loans.
Other Income (Expense)
The following is a summary of other income (expense) for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
Interest expense, net
Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt
Other non-operating income (expense)
(In Millions)
2016
2015
Variance
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
(200.5)
166.3
0.4
(33.8) $
(228.5)
392.9
(2.6)
161.8 $
$
28.0
(226.6)
3.0
(195.6)
The gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $166.3 million,
primarily related to the issuance of 1.5 Lien Notes on March 2, 2016 compared to $392.9 million related to the corporate
debt restructuring that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2015.
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 was lower by $20.8 million versus the year ended
December 31, 2015 as a result of the debt restructuring activities that occurred during 2016. These debt extinguishments
and restructurings resulted in a net reduction of the outstanding principal balance of our senior notes. Additionally, there
was a favorable impact of $5.8 million due to the reduction of equipment loan interest and capital lease interest for the
year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the prior year.
Refer to NOTE 5 - DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES for further discussion.
49
Income Taxes
Our tax rate is affected by permanent items, such as depletion and the relative amount of income we earn in
various foreign jurisdictions with tax rates that differ from the U.S. statutory rate. It also is affected by discrete items that
may occur in any given period, but are not consistent from period to period. The following represents a summary of our
tax provision and corresponding effective rates for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
Income tax benefit (expense)
Effective tax rate
2016
(In Millions)
2015
$
12.2
$
(169.3)
$
(5.9)%
54.1%
Variance
181.5
(60.0)%
A reconciliation of our income tax attributable to continuing operations computed at the U.S. federal statutory
rate for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:
Tax at U.S. statutory rate of 35%
Increase (decrease) due to:
Impact of tax law change
Valuation allowance build/(reversal) on tax benefits
recorded in prior years
Tax uncertainties
Valuation allowance build/(reversal) in current year
Prior year adjustments in current year
Worthless stock deduction
Impact of foreign operations
Percentage depletion in excess of cost depletion
Non-taxable income related to noncontrolling interests
State taxes, net
Other items — net
(In Millions)
2016
2015
$
72.5
35.0 % $
109.6
35.0%
149.1
72.0
—
—
(142.6)
(11.3)
93.9
(11.8)
(73.4)
(42.7)
(36.1)
(8.8)
0.4
(1.4)
(68.9)
(5.5)
45.4
(5.7)
(35.5)
(20.6)
(17.4)
(4.2)
0.2
(0.7)
165.8
84.1
(104.6)
5.9
—
(53.9)
(34.9)
(3.0)
0.2
0.1
52.9
26.9
(33.4)
1.9
—
(17.2)
(11.1)
(1.0)
0.1
—
Provision for income tax (benefit) expense and effective
income tax rate including discrete items
$
(12.2)
(5.9)% $
169.3
54.1%
Our tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2016 was a benefit of $12.2 million and a negative 5.9%
effective tax rate compared with an expense of $169.3 million and an effective tax rate of 54.1% for the prior year. The
change to an income tax benefit from the prior year expense is due to the prior year recording of valuation allowances
against existing deferred tax assets, a worthless stock deduction in the current year and the settlement of unrecognized
tax benefits. The impact of tax law change relates to the enacted statutory rate reduction in Luxembourg that decreased
the deferred tax assets by $149.1 million and was fully offset by a decrease in valuation allowance. The impact of foreign
operations relates to income in foreign jurisdictions where the statutory rates, ranging from 0% to 30%, differ from the
U.S statutory rate of 35%.
See NOTE 9 - INCOME TAXES for further information.
Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax
Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax was comprised primarily of the loss on discontinued operations
related to our North American Coal operating segment and our Eastern Canadian Iron Ore operations. During the year
ended December 31, 2016, we recorded a loss from discontinued operations of $19.9 million, net of tax, attributable to
a net loss from a change in estimate to our Loans to and accounts receivable from the Canadian Entities of $17.5 million
in the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position and a net loss of $2.4 million from certain disputes related to the
sale of our North American Coal segment.
50
As of March 31, 2015, management determined that our North American Coal operating segment met the criteria
to be classified as held for sale under ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements. As such, all 2016 and historical
North American Coal operating segment results are included in our financial statements and classified within discontinued
operations. The Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax related to the North American Coal operating segment
was $2.4 million, $152.4 million and $1,134.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
In January 2015, we announced that the Bloom Lake Group commenced restructuring proceedings in Montreal,
Quebec under the CCAA. At that time, we had suspended Bloom Lake operations and for several months had been
exploring options to sell certain of our Canadian assets, among other initiatives. Effective January 27, 2015, following
the CCAA filing of the Bloom Lake Group, we deconsolidated the Bloom Lake Group and certain other wholly-owned
subsidiaries comprising substantially all of our Canadian operations. Additionally, on May 20, 2015, the Wabush Group
commenced restructuring proceedings in Montreal, Quebec under the CCAA which resulted in the deconsolidation of
the remaining Wabush Group entities that were not previously deconsolidated. The Wabush Group was no longer
generating revenues and was not able to meet its obligations as they came due. As a result of this action, the CCAA
protections granted to the Bloom Lake Group were extended to include the Wabush Group to facilitate the reorganization
of each of their businesses and operations. As of December 31, 2016, the majority of assets available to the estate have
been liquidated. The CCAA proceedings are still ongoing and the Monitor is evaluating all claims into the estate including
our related party claims. Currently, there is uncertainty as to the amount of the distribution that will be made to the
creditors of the estate, including, if any to Cliffs, and whether Cliffs could be held liable for claims that may be asserted
by or on behalf of the Bloom Lake Group or the Wabush Group or by their respective representatives against non-debtor
affiliates of the Bloom Lake Group and the Wabush Group. Financial results prior to the respective deconsolidations
of the Bloom Lake and Wabush Groups and subsequent expenses directly associated with the Canadian Entities are
included in our financial statements and classified within discontinued operations. The Loss from Discontinued
Operations, net of tax related to the deconsolidated Canadian Entities was $17.5 million, $739.7 million and $7,233.5
million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Refer to NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS for further information.
Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interest is comprised primarily of the 21% noncontrolling interest in the consolidated, but less-
than-wholly owned subsidiary at our Empire mining venture and through the CCAA filing on January 27, 2015, the 17.2%
noncontrolling interest in the Bloom Lake operations. The net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest related
to the Empire mining venture was $25.2 million and $8.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015,
respectively. The net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest related to Bloom Lake was $7.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 2015. There was no gain or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest related to Bloom Lake
for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Results of Operations – Consolidated
2015 Compared to 2014
The following is a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015
and 2014:
Revenues from product sales and services
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses
Sales margin
(In Millions)
2015
2,013.3
(1,776.8)
236.5
$
$
2014
3,373.2
(2,487.5)
885.7
$
$
$
$
Variance
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
(1,359.9)
710.7
(649.2)
Sales margin %
11.7%
26.3%
(14.6)%
Revenues from Product Sales and Services
Sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased $1,359.9 million, or 40.3%, from 2014. The
decrease in sales revenue during 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily attributable to the decrease in market pricing
for our products, including a reduction of one customer's full-year hot-rolled coil price. Together these factors negatively
impacted revenues by $804.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
51
Changes in world market pricing impacts our revenues each year. Iron ore revenues decreased $804.4 million
in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to the decrease in the Platts 62% Price, which declined 42.6% to an average
price of $56 per metric ton in 2015, and a decrease in one customer's full-year hot-rolled coil price. The decrease in our
realized revenue rates during 2015 compared to 2014 was 22.7% and 46.4% for our U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron
Ore operations, respectively. Additionally, there was a decrease in revenues period-over-period as a result of lower iron
ore sales volumes of $458.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Refer to “Results of Operations – Segment Information” for additional information regarding the specific factors
that impacted revenue during the period.
Cost of Goods Sold and Operating Expenses
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $1,776.8
million and $2,487.5 million, respectively, a decrease of $710.7 million, or 28.6%, year-over-year.
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased by $335.0 million
as operational efficiencies and cost cutting efforts across each of our business units has reduced costs. Also, as a result
of favorable foreign exchange rates in 2015 versus 2014, we realized lower costs of $94.6 million. Additionally, there
was a decrease in costs period-over-period as a result of lower iron ore sales volumes of $299.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 2015. These decreases in cost were partially offset by incrementally higher idle costs of $61.5
million due to the temporary idle of our United Taconite mine, which began in the first week of August 2015, the temporary
idle of the Empire mine which began on June 26, 2015 and then came back on line during October 2015, and the one
idled production line at our Northshore mine during all of 2015 followed by the complete temporary idle of Northshore
mine in the end of November 2015.
Refer to “Results of Operations – Segment Information” for additional information regarding the specific factors
that impacted our operating results during the period.
Other Operating Income (Expense)
The following is a summary of other operating income (expense) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and
2014:
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets
Miscellaneous - net
(In Millions)
2015
2014
$
$
(110.0) $
(3.3)
28.1
(154.7) $
(635.5)
34.6
(85.2) $
(755.6) $
Variance
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
44.7
632.2
(6.5)
670.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased $44.7 million
over 2014. As a result of the reduction of the workforce, we reduced employment costs for the year ended December 31,
2015 by $16.7 million. There were lower severance costs of $14.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2015
versus 2014. Also, the year ended December 31, 2015 was impacted favorably by $7.8 million due to a reduction in
outside service spending and $5.6 million due to a reduction in rent and operating lease spending.
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets was $3.3 million and $635.5 million during the years ended
December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded goodwill impairment
of $73.5 million related to our Asia Pacific Iron Ore reporting unit. We also recorded other long-lived asset impairment
charges of $562.0 million during 2014. The charges were related to our Asia Pacific Iron Ore operating segment, along
with impairments charged to reporting units within our Other reportable segments. The impairment charges were primarily
a result of management determining that the carrying value of the asset groups may not be recoverable primarily due to
long-term price forecasts as part of management’s long-range planning process. Updated estimates of long-term prices
for all products, specifically the Platts 62% Price, which particularly effects the Asia Pacific Iron Ore business segment
because their contracts correlate heavily to world market spot pricing, were lower than prior estimates. These estimates
were updated based upon current market conditions, macro-economic factors influencing the balance of supply and
demand for our products and expectations for future cost and capital expenditure requirements.
52
Additionally, our CEO, Lourenco Goncalves, was newly appointed by the Board of Directors in early August 2014,
and subsequently identified as the CODM in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting. At that time, the new CODM
viewed Asia Pacific Iron Ore as a non-core asset and evaluated the business unit for a change in strategy including
possible divestiture or operational depletion of the ore reserves. These factors, among other considerations utilized in
the individual impairment assessments, indicate that the carrying value of the respective asset group and Asia Pacific
Iron Ore goodwill may not be recoverable.
The following is a summary of Miscellaneous - net for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
Foreign exchange remeasurement
Management and royalty fees
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
Other
(In Millions)
2015
2014
Variance
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
$
16.3 $
6.4
3.4
2.0
$
28.1 $
29.0 $
10.8
(3.5)
(1.7)
34.6 $
(12.7)
(4.4)
6.9
3.7
(6.5)
For the year ended December 31, 2015, there was an incrementally unfavorable impact of $12.7 million due to
the change in foreign exchange remeasurement driven primarily by lower Australian bank account balances that are
denominated in U.S. dollars and short-term intercompany loans that are denominated in currency that is not the functional
currency of the entity that holds the loans.
Other Income (Expense)
The following is a summary of other income (expense) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
Interest expense, net
Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt
Other non-operating income (expense)
(In Millions)
2015
2014
(228.5)
392.9
(2.6)
(176.7)
16.2
10.7
$
161.8 $
(149.8) $
Variance
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
(51.8)
376.7
(13.3)
311.6
The increase in gain on extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the
comparable prior year is a result of the corporate debt restructuring and debt repurchases of senior notes trading at a
discount, as discussed in NOTE 5 - DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES.
Interest expense was unfavorably impacted by $94.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 as we entered
into new credit arrangements during the first quarter of 2015. Additionally, the year ended December 31, 2015 was
unfavorably impacted by $11.9 million due to unfavorable interest rates, as discussed in NOTE 5 - DEBT AND CREDIT
FACILITIES. The unfavorable impact was offset partially by reduced interest expense of $50.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2015 due to the extinguishment of certain senior notes and the revolving credit agreement during the first
quarter of 2015, as discussed in NOTE 5 - DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES.
Additionally, other non-operating income during the year ended December 31, 2014 included a $7.8 million gain
on the sale of marketable securities.
53
Income Taxes
Our tax rate is affected by permanent items, such as depletion and the relative amount of income we earn in
various foreign jurisdictions with tax rates that differ from the U.S. statutory rate. It also is affected by discrete items that
may occur in any given period, but are not consistent from period to period. The following represents a summary of our
tax provision and corresponding effective rates for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
Income tax benefit (expense)
$
(169.3)
$
86.0
$
(In Millions)
2015
2014
Variance
(255.3)
Effective tax rate
54.1%
436.5%
(382.4)%
A reconciliation of our income tax attributable to continuing operations computed at the U.S. federal statutory
rate for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
Tax at U.S. statutory rate of 35%
Increases/(Decreases) due to:
Non-taxable loss (income) related to noncontrolling interests
Impact of tax law change
Percentage depletion in excess of cost depletion
Impact of foreign operations
Income not subject to tax
Goodwill impairment
State taxes, net
Settlement of financial guaranty
Valuation allowance reversal in current year
Valuation allowance on future tax benefits recorded in prior years
(104.6)
165.8
Tax uncertainties
Prior year adjustments made in current year
Other items - net
84.1
5.9
0.1
(In Millions)
2015
2014
$ 109.6
35.0% $
(6.9)
35.0%
(3.0)
—
(34.9)
(53.9)
—
—
0.2
—
(1.0)
—
(11.1)
(17.2)
—
—
0.1
—
(33.4)
52.9
26.9
1.9
—
(9.4)
13.0
(87.9)
51.4
(27.7)
22.7
(25.4)
47.7
(66.0)
446.2
(260.9)
140.6
(115.2)
128.9
(347.1)
1,761.9
318.3
15.2
(1,615.7)
(77.2)
—
(6.3)
4.1
—
32.1
(20.9)
Provision for income tax (benefit)/expense and effective income tax
rate including discrete items
$ 169.3
54.1% $
(86.0)
436.5%
Our tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2015 was an expense of $169.3 million and a 54.1% effective
tax rate compared with a benefit of $86.0 million and an effective tax rate of 436.5% for the prior year. The change in the
income tax expense from the prior-year benefit is due primarily to placement of valuation allowances on previously
recorded U.S. future tax benefits that management has determined are not recoverable. The impact of foreign operations
relates to income in foreign jurisdictions where the statutory rates, ranging from 0% to 30%, differ from the U.S. statutory
rate of 35%. Other items include depletion as well as the reversal of valuation allowance related to current year realization
of tax benefits.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, income not subject to tax includes the tax benefit of non-taxable interest
income related to an intercompany note between the U.S. and Canada. This note was restructured on April 27, 2014
and no longer results in an income tax benefit after this date.
See NOTE 9 - INCOME TAXES for further information.
54
Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax
Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax was comprised primarily of the loss on discontinued operations
related to our North American Coal operating segment and our Eastern Canadian Iron Ore operations.
The Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax related to the North American Coal operating segment was
$152.4 million and $1,134.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax related to the deconsolidated Canadian Entities was $739.7
million and $7,233.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Refer to NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS for further information.
Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interest is comprised primarily of the 21% noncontrolling interest in the consolidated, but less-
than-wholly owned subsidiary at our Empire mining venture and through the CCAA filing on January 27, 2015, the 17.2%
noncontrolling interest in the Bloom Lake operations. The net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest related to
Bloom Lake was $7.7 million and $1,113.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The
net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest related to the Empire mining venture was $8.6 million and $26.9
million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Results of Operations – Segment Information
We have historically evaluated segment performance based on sales margin, defined as revenues less cost of
goods sold and operating expenses identifiable to each segment. Additionally, we evaluate segment performance based
on EBITDA, defined as net income (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, and
Adjusted EBITDA, defined as EBITDA excluding certain items such as extinguishment/restructuring of debt, impacts of
discontinued operations, foreign currency remeasurement, severance and contractor termination costs, certain supplies
inventory write-offs, impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets and other costs associated with the proxy contest
and change in control. These measures allow management and investors to focus on our ability to service our debt, as
well as illustrate how the business and each operating segment is performing. Additionally, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
assist management and investors in their analysis and forecasting as these measures approximate the cash flows
associated with operational earnings.
55
2016 Compared to 2015
Net Income (Loss)
Less:
Interest expense, net
Income tax benefit (expense)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Total EBITDA
Less:
Gain on extinguishment of debt
Impact of discontinued operations
Foreign exchange remeasurement
Severance and contractor termination costs
Supplies inventory write-off
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets
Total Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA:
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Other (including discontinued operations)
Total EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA:
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Other
Total Adjusted EBITDA
(In Millions)
2016
2015
199.3
$
(748.4)
$
$
(200.5)
12.2
(115.4)
503.0
166.3
(19.9)
(16.8)
(0.1)
—
—
373.5
$
$
342.4
128.3
32.3
503.0
$
$
359.6
132.9
(119.0)
373.5
$
(231.4)
(163.3)
(134.0)
(219.7)
392.9
(892.0)
16.3
(10.2)
(16.3)
(3.3)
292.9
317.6
35.3
(572.6)
(219.7)
352.1
32.7
(91.9)
292.9
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased by $722.7 million on a consolidated basis from 2015.
The period-over-period change primarily was driven by the impact of our discontinued operations during the year ended
December 31, 2015. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $80.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from the
comparable period in 2015. The period-over-period change is a result of operational efficiencies and cost-cutting efforts
across each of our business units. See further detail below for additional information regarding the specific factors that
impacted each reportable segment's sales margin during 2016.
56
U.S. Iron Ore
The following is a summary of U.S. Iron Ore results for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
(In Millions)
Changes due to:
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
2015
Revenue
and cost
rate
Sales
volume
Idle cost/
production
volume
variance
Freight and
reimburse-
ment
Total
change
Revenues from product sales
and services
Cost of goods sold and
operating expenses
Sales margin
$ 1,554.5
$
1,525.4
$
(62.0) $
73.5
(1,278.8)
(1,298.3)
$
275.7
$
227.1
$
84.7
22.7
(55.4)
$
18.1
$
$
— $
17.6
$
29.1
7.8
7.8
(17.6)
$
— $
19.5
48.6
Per Long Sales Ton Information
Realized product revenue rate1
Cash cost of goods sold and
operating expense rate1,2
Depreciation, depletion &
amortization
Total cost of goods sold and
operating expense rate
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
2015
Difference
Percent
change
$
75.71
$
79.12
$
(3.41)
(4.3)%
55.97
4.61
60.27
(4.30)
(7.1)%
5.72
(1.11)
(19.4)%
60.58
65.99
(5.41)
2.00
(8.2)%
15.2 %
Sales margin
$
15.13
$
13.13
$
Sales tons3 (In thousands)
Production tons3 (In thousands)
Total
Cliffs’ share of total
18,224
17,292
23,416
15,982
26,138
19,317
1 Excludes revenues and expenses related to domestic freight, which are offsetting and have no impact on sales margin. Revenues
and expenses also exclude venture partner cost reimbursements.
2 Cash cost of goods sold and operating expense rate is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" for
reconciliation in dollars back to our consolidated financial statements.
3 Tons are long tons (2,240 pounds).
Sales margin for U.S. Iron Ore was $275.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $227.1
million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase compared to the prior year is attributable to an increase in
revenue of $29.1 million in addition to a decrease in cost of goods sold and operating expenses of $19.5 million. Sales
margin increased 15.2% to $15.13 per long ton during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to 2015.
Revenue increased by $11.5 million, excluding the increase of $17.6 million of freight and reimbursements, from
the prior year, predominantly due to:
• Higher sales volumes of 0.9 million long tons, which resulted in increased revenues of $73.5 million due
to:
Additional short-term contracts in 2016 with two customers, one of which we made no sales to in
2015, providing additional sales volume of 2.4 million long tons.
This increase was offset partially by a 1.3 million net reduction in long tons from the termination of
a customer contract in the fourth quarter of the prior year that was reinstated in June 2016, to begin
in 2017, and nominations on short-term contracts made with the customer in the interim.
• The average year-to-date realized product revenue rate declined by $3.41 per long ton or 4.3% to $75.71
per long ton in the year ended December 31, 2016, which resulted in a decrease of $62.0 million, compared
to the prior-year period. The decline is a result of:
57
Changes in customer pricing negatively affected the realized revenue rate by $2 per long ton or $32
million driven primarily by the negative inflation of certain price indices;
An unfavorable variance of $30 million or $2 per long ton due to overall net lower contracted pricing
terms for two short-term customer contracts that were based on fixed negotiated rates compared
to the prior-year period which was based on a different method; and
An unfavorable change of $17 million or $1 per long ton resulting from various price adjustments,
unfavorable customer mix and net of increased service revenue.
These decreases were offset partially by an increase in realized revenue rates of $1 per long ton or
$17 million as a result of one major customer contract with a pricing mechanism tied to the full-year
estimate of their hot-rolled coil pricing. The increase in revenue is primarily due to the hot-rolled coil
estimate increasing in 2016 from the beginning of the year, compared to 2015 when the estimate
was revised lower.
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses decreased $37.1 million or $2.04 per long ton, excluding the decrease
of $17.6 million of freight and reimbursements from the prior year, predominantly as a result of:
•
Lower maintenance and repair costs resulting from cost reduction initiatives and condition based
monitoring and Empire's indefinite idle, which began in August 2016 of $28 million or $2 per long ton;
• A year-over-year reduction in energy rates for natural gas and diesel, which lowered costs by $16 million
or $1 per long ton and a reduction of employment costs of $12 million or $1 per long ton; and
• Various one-time adjustments totaling $28 million or $2 per long ton impacted the year ended December
31, 2016 compared to the previous year, including a positive asset retirement obligation adjustment for
a life of mine extension during 2016 of $9 million or $1 per long ton, and a supplies inventory adjustment
that occurred in 2015 that was not repeated in 2016 of $15 million or $1 per long ton.
• These decreases were offset partially by increased sales volume as discussed above that increased
costs by $55 million or $3 per long ton, in addition to an unfavorable impact from LIFO liquidation of $9
million or $1 per long ton, compared to the prior-year period.
Production
Cliffs' share of production tons in its U.S. Iron Ore segment decreased by approximately 3.3 million long tons or
17.3% in 2016 when compared to 2015. The decrease in production volumes primarily is attributable to the idled mining
facilities. Our United Taconite operation was idled from August 2015, until it was restarted again in August 2016. As a
result, our United Taconite operation was in full production for one-third of the year versus operating at full production
for two-thirds of the prior year causing a decrease in production volume of 1.5 million long tons. Secondly, our Northshore
mining operations were fully idled, including all four furnaces from November 2015 until May 2016, compared to running
a three furnace operation for most of 2015 until the full idle began in November 2015, reducing production by 1.0 million
long tons during 2016.
58
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
The following is a summary of Asia Pacific Iron Ore results for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
(In Millions)
Change due to:
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
2015
Revenue
and cost
rate
Sales
volume
Exchange
rate
Freight
and
reimburse-
ment
Total
change
Revenues from product sales and
services
Cost of goods sold and operating
expenses
Sales margin
$ 554.5
$ 487.9
$
69.2
$
0.7
(440.9)
(478.5)
$ 113.6
$
9.4
$
29.8
99.0
$
(0.6)
0.1
$
$
(0.4) $
(2.9) $
66.6
5.5
5.1
2.9
37.6
$
— $
104.2
Per Metric Sales Ton Information
Realized product revenue rate1
Cash cost of goods sold and
operating expense rate1,2
Depreciation, depletion &
amortization
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
2015
Difference
Percent
change
$ 45.85
$ 39.93
$
5.92
14.8 %
33.94
36.95
(3.01)
(8.1)%
2.16
2.18
(0.02)
(0.9)%
Total cost of goods sold and operating
expense rate
Sales margin
36.10
39.13
(3.03)
(7.7)%
$
9.75
$
0.80
$
8.95
1,118.8 %
Sales tons3 (In thousands)
Production tons3 (In thousands)
11,642
11,839
11,627
11,722
1 The information above excludes revenues and expenses related to freight, which are offsetting and have no impact on sales margin.
2 Cash cost of goods sold and operating expense rate is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" for
reconciliation in dollars back to our consolidated financial statements.
3 Metric tons (2,205 pounds).
Sales margin for our Asia Pacific Iron Ore segment increased to $113.6 million during the year ended
December 31, 2016 compared with $9.4 million for 2015. The increase compared to the prior year primarily is attributable
to higher revenue of $66.6 million and lower cost of goods sold and operating expenses of $37.6 million. Sales margin
per metric ton increased 1,118.8% to $9.75 per metric ton in 2016 compared to 2015.
Revenue increased by $69.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 over the prior year, excluding
the decrease of $2.9 million of freight and reimbursements, primarily as a result of:
• The average year-to-date realized product revenue rate increased $5.92 per metric ton or 14.8% to
$45.85 per metric ton during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the previous year, which
resulted in an increase of $68.8 million, including the impact of foreign exchange. This increase is a
result of:
An increase in the Platts 62% Price positively affected the realized revenue rate by $3 per metric
ton or $33 million; and
A favorable variance of $3 per metric ton or $29 million due to the suspension in 2015 of the hedging
program that protected against volatility in exchange rates. This did not occur in 2016.
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses decreased $34.7 million or $2.98 per metric ton, in the year ended
December 31, 2016 over the prior-year period, excluding the decrease of $2.9 million of freight and reimbursements,
primarily as a result of:
59
• Reduced administration and employment costs of $16 million or $1 per metric ton, due to lower headcount
and contractor fees;
• A reduction in mining costs of $12 million or $1 per metric ton, due to mining efficiencies gained from
our revised mine plan, including a reduction in the required mined tons to meet our desired yields;
•
Lower transportation costs of $11 million or $1 per metric ton, due to decreased hauling volumes and
reduced freight costs as a result of the revised mine plan; and
• Favorable foreign exchange rate variances of $6 million or $1 per metric ton.
• Partially offset by increased crushing costs due to increased maintenance activities and our use of a
third-party mobile crushing unit and increased royalties, which were driven by higher gross revenues,
for $9 million or $1 per metric ton.
Production
Production volume at our Asia Pacific Iron Ore mining complex during the year ended December 31, 2016
remained consistent with 2015, increasing 117 thousand metric tons or 1.0%. The increase in production tons compared
to the prior year is mainly attributable to increased crusher feed productivity and the use of third-party mobile crusher
support.
60
2015 Compared to 2014
Net Loss
Less:
Interest expense, net
Income tax benefit (expense)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
EBITDA
Less:
Gain on extinguishment of debt
Impact of discontinued operations
Foreign exchange remeasurement
Severance and contractor termination costs
Supplies inventory write-off
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets
Proxy contest and change in control costs in SG&A
Total Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA:
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Other (including discontinued operations)
Total EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA:
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Other
Total Adjusted EBITDA
(In Millions)
2015
2014
(748.4) $
(8,311.6)
(231.4)
(163.3)
(134.0)
(185.2)
1,302.0
(504.0)
(219.7) $
(8,924.4)
392.9 $
(892.0)
16.3
(10.2)
(16.3)
(3.3)
—
292.9 $
317.6 $
35.3
(572.6)
(219.7) $
352.1 $
32.7
(91.9)
16.2
(9,332.5)
29.0
(23.3)
—
(635.5)
(26.6)
1,048.3
805.6
(352.9)
(9,377.1)
(8,924.4)
833.5
252.9
(38.1)
292.9 $
1,048.3
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased by $8.7 billion on a consolidated basis from 2014.
The period-over-period change was driven primarily by the items detailed above in the EBITDA calculation. Adjusted
EBITDA decreased by $755.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from 2014. The decrease was primarily
attributable to the lower consolidated sales margin. See further detail below for additional information regarding the
specific factors that impacted each reportable segment's sales margin during 2015.
61
U.S. Iron Ore
The following is a summary of U.S. Iron Ore results for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
(In Millions)
Change due to
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
2014
Revenue
and cost
rate
Sales
volume
Idle cost/
Production
volume
variance
Freight
and
reimburse-
ment
Total
change
Revenues from product sales
and services
Cost of goods sold and
operating expenses
$ 1,525.4
$ 2,506.5
$
(401.9) $ (465.4)
$
— $
(113.8) $
(981.1)
(1,298.3)
(1,796.1)
140.2
305.3
(61.5)
113.8
497.8
Sales margin
$
227.1
$
710.4
$
(261.7) $ (160.1)
$
(61.5) $
— $
(483.3)
Per Long Sales Ton
Information
Realized product revenue rate1
Cash cost of goods sold and
operating expense rate1,2
Depreciation, depletion &
amortization
Total cost of goods sold and
operating expenses rate
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
2014
Difference
Percent
change
$
79.12
$
102.36
$
(23.24)
(22.7)%
60.27
64.91
(4.64)
(7.1)%
5.72
4.92
0.80
16.3 %
65.99
69.83
(3.84)
(5.5)%
Sales margin
$
13.13
$
32.53
$
(19.40)
(59.6)%
Sales tons3 (In thousands)
Production tons3 (In thousands)
Total
Cliffs’ share of total
17,292
21,840
26,138
19,317
29,733
22,431
1 Excludes revenues and expenses related to domestic freight, which are offsetting and have no impact on sales margin. Revenues
and expenses also exclude venture partner cost reimbursements.
2 Cash cost of goods sold and operating expense rate is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" for
reconciliation in dollars back to our consolidated financial statements.
3 Tons are long tons (2,240 pounds).
Sales margin for U.S. Iron Ore was $227.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with the
sales margin of $710.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The decline compared to the prior year is
attributable to a decrease in revenue of $981.1 million partially offset by a decrease in cost of goods sold and operating
expenses of $497.8 million. Sales margin decreased 59.6% to $13.13 per long ton during the year ended December 31,
2015 compared to 2014.
Revenue decreased by $867.3 million, excluding the decrease of $113.8 million of freight and reimbursements,
from the prior year, predominantly due to:
• The average year-to-date realized product revenue rate declined by $23.24 per long ton or 22.7% to
$79.12 per long ton in 2015, which resulted in a decrease of $401.9 million. This decline is a result of:
Changes in customer pricing negatively affected the realized revenue rate by $9 per long ton driven
primarily by the reduction in Platts 62% Price as well as other indices referenced in customer
contracts;
Realized revenue rates impacted negatively by $7 per long ton primarily as a result of one major
customer contract with a pricing mechanism affected by a reduction in their full-year hot-rolled coil
pricing; and
62
Realized revenue rates impacted negatively by $5 per long ton related to one major customer
contract with a reduced average selling price due to a change in the pricing mechanism as prescribed
in the contract which shifted the contract from a fixed rate to a rate impacted by the Platts 62%
Price, as well as other market rates plus the impact and timing of carryover tons.
•
Lower sales volumes of 4,548 thousand long tons or $465.4 million due to:
A lower nomination in 2015 from one customer due to reduced 2015 demand, reduced demand
from a customer due to the idling of its blast furnace beginning in March 2015 and the expiration
of a contract with one customer at the end of 2014; and
Lower sales to one customer in 2015 due to the termination of a contract in the fourth quarter of
the current year.
These decreases were partially offset by higher sales to one customer throughout 2015 due to a
spot contract with the customer that began in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses in 2015 decreased $384.0 million, excluding the decrease of $113.8
million of freight and reimbursements from the prior year, predominantly as a result of:
•
Lower costs in 2015 in comparison to the prior year primarily driven by the reduction in salaried workforce
headcount, along with reduced maintenance and repair costs based on cost reduction initiatives and
condition-based monitoring, reduced stripping costs at Tilden and Hibbing based on new mine plans,
and the year-over-year reduction in energy rates; and
• Decreased sales volumes, as discussed above, that decreased costs by $305.3 million compared to
the prior year.
• Partially offset by increased idle costs of $61.5 million due to the idle of United Taconite mine which
began in the first week of August 2015, the idle of the Empire mine which began on June 26, 2015 and
ended in mid-October 2015, and one idled production line at our Northshore mine during all of 2015,
until the complete idle of Northshore mine in the end of November 2015.
Production
Cliffs' share of production tons in its U.S. Iron Ore segment decreased by 13.9% in 2015 when compared to
2014. Empire mine had a decrease in production of 1,045 thousand long tons related to the idling of Empire that began
on June 26, 2015 and ended during mid-October of 2015. United Taconite mine had a decrease in production of 1,866
thousand long tons during 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to the idling of United Taconite mine that began the
first week of August 2015. There was a decrease in production of 965 thousand long tons at the Northshore mine during
2015, as we ran a three furnace operation throughout 2015 until the complete idle of Northshore mine in the end of
November 2015. This is compared to 2014 when we ran a two furnace operation at Northshore for the majority of the
first quarter and then started up one idled furnace in February and the other in March.
63
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
The following is a summary of Asia Pacific Iron Ore results for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
(In Millions)
Change due to
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
2014
Revenue
and cost
rate
Sales
Volume
Exchange
Rate
Freight and
reimburse-
ment
Total
change
Revenues from product sales and
services
Cost of goods sold and operating
expenses
Sales margin
$
9.4
$
121.7
$
(207.7) $
(478.5)
(745.0)
194.8
$
487.9
$
866.7
$
(402.5) $
7.3
$
$
(0.3) $
16.7
$
(378.8)
94.6
94.3
(16.7)
266.5
$
— $
(112.3)
(6.2)
1.1
Per Metric Sales Ton Information
Realized product revenue rate1
Cash cost of goods sold and
operating expense rate1,2
Depreciation, depletion &
amortization
Total cost of goods sold and
operating expenses rate
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
2014
Difference
Percent
change
$
39.93
$
74.56
$
(34.63)
(46.4)%
36.95
51.36
(14.41)
(28.1)%
2.18
12.65
(10.47)
(82.8)%
39.13
64.01
(24.88)
(38.9)%
(92.4)%
Sales margin
$
0.80
$
10.55
$
(9.75)
Sales tons3 (In thousands)
Production tons3 (In thousands)
11,627
11,722
11,531
11,352
1 We began selling a portion of our product on a CFR basis in 2014. As such, the information above excludes revenues and expenses
related to freight, which are offsetting and have no impact on sales margin.
2 Cash cost of goods sold and operating expense rate is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" for
reconciliation in dollars back to our consolidated financial statements.
3 Metric tons (2,205 pounds).
Sales margin for our Asia Pacific Iron Ore segment decreased to $9.4 million during the year ended December 31,
2015 compared with $121.7 million for 2014. Sales margin per metric ton decreased 92.4% to $0.80 per metric ton in
2015 compared to 2014 primarily as a result of decreased pricing as described below.
Revenue decreased by $395.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 over the prior year, excluding
the increase of $16.7 million of freight and reimbursements, primarily as a result of:
• An overall decrease to the average realized revenue rate, which resulted in a decrease of $402.5 million,
primarily as a result of a decrease in the Platts 62% Price to an average of $56 per metric ton from $97
per metric ton in the prior year.
• This decrease is partially offset by the higher sales volume of 11.6 million metric tons during the year
ended December 31, 2015 compared with 11.5 million metric tons resulting in an increase of $7.3 million.
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses in the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased $283.2 million,
excluding the increase of $16.7 million of freight and reimbursements, compared to 2014 primarily as a result of:
• A reduction in depreciation, amortization and depletion expense of $120.6 million primarily due to the
long-lived asset impairments taken during the second half of 2014 and reduced mining costs of $79.4
million mainly due to decreased mining and hauling volumes and increases in productivity related to
maintenance, hauling and train loading, and lower headcount; and
• Favorable foreign exchange rate variances of $94.6 million or $8 per metric ton.
64
• These decreases were offset partially by higher sales volumes, as discussed above, that resulted in
increased costs of $6.2 million compared to the prior year.
Production
Production at our Asia Pacific Iron Ore segment during the year ended December 31, 2015 remained consistent
when compared to 2014 with a slight increase in production of 370 thousand metric tons or 3.3%. The increase in
production tons compared to the prior year is mainly attributable to increased rail capacity.
Liquidity, Cash Flows and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash generated from our operating and financing activities. Our capital
allocation process is focused on improving the strength of our balance sheet and creating financial flexibility to manage
through the inherent cyclical demand for our products and volatility in commodity prices. We are focused on the
preservation of liquidity in our business through the maximization of cash generation of our operations as well as reducing
operating costs, limiting capital investments to those required to meet the current business plan, including regulatory
and permission-to-operate related projects, and managing SG&A expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2016,
we issued common shares in an underwritten public offering, which provided net proceeds of $287.4 million that we used
to fully redeem our senior notes due 2018. As demonstrated in prior periods, we will continue to seek additional
opportunities to reduce our debt, including, without limitation, through further repurchases or exchange of our debt
securities, including in exchange for our common shares, and with the proceeds from equity issuances. Additionally, we
may seek to refinance our existing debt, including refinancing our secured debt with unsecured debt. Despite the
improving conditions we experienced during 2016, we believe these efforts, which have been ongoing and will continue
for the foreseeable future, remain a priority.
Based on our outlook for the next 12 months, which is subject to continued changing demand from steel makers
that utilize our products and volatility in iron ore and domestic steel prices, we expect to generate cash from operations
sufficient to meet our anticipated capital expenditures and cash requirements to service our debt obligations. Furthermore,
we maintain incremental liquidity through the cash on our balance sheet and the availability provided by our ABL Facility.
Despite the constructive market conditions that exist today, if we were to experience reduced demand from our
customers and/or iron ore or steel prices deteriorate significantly, we would face pressure on our available liquidity. If
this was the case, we would need to consider the sale of assets, further expense reductions and the possibility of accessing
the capital markets, which could include issuing the remaining capacity under our senior secured notes. There is a
possibility that these further actions would not be sufficient to maintain adequate levels of available liquidity particularly
if industry conditions deteriorated severely.
Refer to “Outlook” for additional guidance regarding expected future results, including projections on pricing,
sales volume and production.
The following discussion summarizes the significant activities impacting our cash flows during 2016 as well as
those expected to impact our future cash flows over the next 12 months. Refer to the Statements of Consolidated Cash
Flows for additional information.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $303.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016,
compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $37.9 million for 2015. The increase in operating cash flows
in 2016 was primarily due to the better operating results previously discussed related to both the U.S. Iron Ore and Asia
Pacific Iron Ore operating segments, and improved cash flows from working capital. The working capital improvement
in 2016 versus 2015 was driven by aggressively reducing inventory levels partially offset by the prior-year income tax
refund discussed below. Sales volume outpaced production volume in 2016, while in 2015, production volume was
higher than sales volume.
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $37.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015,
compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $358.9 million for 2014. The decrease in operating cash flows
in 2015 was primarily due to lower operating results as previously discussed, which was partially offset by an income
tax refund of $211.4 million, mainly related to our U.S. federal income tax. Positively affecting our operating cash flows
in 2015 and continuing into 2016 are the decreased costs associated with the temporary idles of United Taconite mine
and Northshore mine.
During 2016, the Platts 62% Price showed resiliency and outperformed the levels seen in 2015. We believe this
is the result of improved sentiment about steel demand in China and signs of high-cost capacity closures as well as more
65
disciplined approach to supply instituted by the major iron ore producers, most notably Rio Tinto. Furthermore, major
supply additions from both Brazil and Australia anticipated to come online in 2016 have experienced difficulties ramping
up and completion dates have been further delayed. We believe the new management teams at the major iron ore
producers will continue this disciplined supply approach through 2017, which could help maintain or even improve these
current price levels.
We believe we have sufficient capital resources for the next 12 months to support our operations and other
financial obligations through cash generated from operations and our financing arrangements augmented by our efficient
tax structure that allows us to repatriate cash from our foreign operations, if necessary. Our U.S. cash and cash equivalents
balance at December 31, 2016 was $287.1 million, or 89% of our consolidated total cash and cash equivalents balance
of $323.4 million.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $57.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with
$103.2 million for 2015. We had capital expenditures of $69.1 million and $80.8 million for the years ended December 31,
2016 and 2015, respectively. Offsetting our investments in property, plant and equipment, during 2016, we had cash
proceeds from investing activities of $8.3 million, primarily from the collection of a debtor-in-possession credit facility (the
"DIP financing").
Net cash used by investing activities was $103.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared
with $103.6 million for 2014. We had capital expenditures of $80.8 million and $284.1 million for the years ended
December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Offsetting our investments in property, plant and equipment, during 2014,
we had cash proceeds from investing activities of $155.0 million from the sale of CLCC.
We spent approximately $43 million, $81 million and $232 million globally on expenditures related to sustaining
capital during 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Sustaining capital spend includes infrastructure, mobile equipment,
environmental, safety, fixed equipment, product quality and health. Additionally, during 2016 we spent approximately
$27 million on our capital project to produce a specialized, super-flux pellet called "Mustang" at United Taconite in order
to meet a customer's pellet specification requirements.
In alignment with our strategy to focus on allocating capital among key priorities related to liquidity management,
and business investment, we anticipate total cash used for capital expenditures in 2017 to be approximately $105 million,
the vast majority of which relates to our U.S. Iron Ore operations. Included within this estimate, we expect to spend an
additional $40 million in 2017 in order to complete the Mustang project.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $206.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with
net cash provided by financing activities of $61.0 million for 2015. Net cash used by financing activities included the
redemption of all of our outstanding senior notes due 2018 for $305.4 million, which was offset partially by net proceeds
from the issuance of common shares of $287.4 million. Additionally, we paid off the remaining balance of certain of our
equipment loans, which resulted in cash outflows of $95.6 million. We made further cash outflows related to financing
activities attributable to agreed-upon early distributions of partnership equity of $59.9 million during the year ended
December 31, 2016 and paid the last such scheduled early distribution of partnership equity of approximately $8.7 million
in January 2017. The partners are in discussion regarding distribution of the remaining assets and/or equity interest, if
any, in the partnership.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $61.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared
with net cash used in financing activities of $288.3 million for 2014. Net cash provided by financing activities included
the issuance of First Lien Notes, which resulted in proceeds of $503.5 million that were offset partially by the repurchase
of senior notes of $225.9 million and debt issuance costs of $33.6 million. Additionally, net cash used by financing
activities during 2015 and 2014 included $45.4 million and $20.9 million, respectively, for the repayment of the Canadian
equipment loans, and $51.2 million of preferred dividend distributions in each of those periods. On January 4, 2016, we
announced that under the terms of our Preferred Shares, the final quarterly dividend would not be paid in cash. The
year ended December 31, 2014 also included common dividend distributions of $92.5 million. On January 26, 2015, we
announced that our Board of Directors had decided to eliminate the quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share on our common
shares. The decision was applicable to the first quarter of 2015 and all subsequent quarters.
66
The following represents our future cash commitments and contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016:
Contractual Obligations
Long-term debt
Interest on debt2
Operating lease obligations
Capital lease obligations
Guarantees and contingent liabilities
Purchase obligations:
Open purchase orders
Minimum "take or pay" purchase
commitments3
Total purchase obligations
Other long-term liabilities:
Pension funding minimums
OPEB claim payments
Environmental and mine closure
obligations
Personal injury
Total other long-term liabilities
Total
$
Total
2,258.8
950.1
21.4
67.8
39.3
73.4
524.5
597.9
335.2
110.3
206.8
6.7
153.8
6.9
22.0
2.3
73.4
98.6
172.0
24.5
4.1
13.2
2.6
44.4
401.4
Payments Due by Period1 (In Millions)
1 - 3
Less than
Years
1 Year
3 - 5
Years
More than
5 Years
$
— $
— $
307.6
8.6
27.8
37.0
—
159.9
159.9
65.6
7.9
1.2
2.4
$
1,960.4
134.4
5.9
298.4
354.3
—
17.3
—
—
149.9
149.9
63.4
7.6
15.1
0.6
0.7
—
—
116.1
116.1
181.7
90.7
177.3
1.1
659.0
4,594.3
$
$
77.1
618.0
86.7
2,354.6
450.8
$ 1,220.3
$
$
1 Includes our consolidated obligations.
2 Refer to NOTE 5 - DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES of the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding
our debt and related interest rates.
3 Includes minimum railroad transportation obligations, minimum electric power demand charges, minimum coal, diesel and natural
gas obligations and minimum port facility obligations.
The above table does not reflect $30.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits, which we have recorded for uncertain
tax positions as we are unable to determine a reasonable and reliable estimate of the timing of future payments.
Refer to NOTE 20 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES of the Consolidated Financial Statements for
additional information regarding our future commitments and obligations.
67
Capital Resources
We expect to fund our business obligations from available cash, current and future operations and existing
borrowing arrangements. We also may pursue other funding strategies in the capital markets to strengthen our liquidity.
The following represents a summary of key liquidity measures as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
Cash and cash equivalents
Available borrowing base on ABL Facility1
ABL Facility loans drawn
Letter of credit obligations and other commitments
Borrowing capacity available
(In Millions)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2015
$
$
323.4 $
333.0
—
(106.0)
227.0 $
285.2
366.0
—
(186.8)
179.2
1 The ABL Facility has the maximum borrowing base of $550 million, determined by applying customary advance
rates to eligible accounts receivable, inventory and certain mobile equipment.
Our primary source of external funding is our ABL Facility, which matures on March 30, 2020. We also have
cash on hand, generated by the business, which totaled $323.4 million as of December 31, 2016. The combination of
cash and availability under the ABL Facility gives us approximately $550.4 million in liquidity entering the first quarter of
2017, which is expected to be used to fund operations, letter of credit obligations, sustaining capital expenditures and
other cash commitments for at least the next 12 months. Based on expected reductions in underlying obligations, letters
of credit obligations are expected to decrease by approximately $21 million in the next 12 months.
As of December 31, 2016, we were in compliance with the ABL Facility liquidity requirements and, therefore, the
springing financial covenant requiring a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 was not applicable. We
believe that the cash on hand and the ABL Facility provide us sufficient liquidity to support our operating, investing and
financing activities.
Although we believe that our cash on hand and availability under our ABL Facility provide us sufficient liquidity
to support our operating and investing activities, we have the capability to issue additional 1.5 Lien Notes and additional
Second Lien Notes, both subject to compliance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and other applicable covenants
under our ABL Facility.
Consistent with our stated strategy, we intend from time to time to seek to retire or purchase our outstanding
senior notes with cash on hand, borrowings from existing credit sources or new debt financings and/or exchanges for
debt or equity securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases,
if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors,
and the amounts involved may be material.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the normal course of business, we are a party to certain arrangements that are not reflected on our Statements
of Consolidated Financial Position. These arrangements include minimum "take or pay" purchase commitments, such
as minimum electric power demand charges, minimum coal, diesel and natural gas purchase commitments, minimum
railroad transportation commitments and minimum port facility usage commitments; financial instruments with off-balance
sheet risk, such as bank letters of credit and bank guarantees; and operating leases, which primarily relate to equipment
and office space.
Market Risks
We are subject to a variety of risks, including those caused by changes in commodity prices, foreign currency
exchange rates and interest rates. We have established policies and procedures to manage such risks; however, certain
risks are beyond our control.
68
Pricing Risks
Commodity Price Risk
Our consolidated revenues include the sale of iron ore pellets, iron ore lump and iron ore fines. Our financial
results can vary significantly as a result of fluctuations in the market prices of iron ore and hot-rolled coil. World market
prices for these commodities have fluctuated historically and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control. The
world market price that most commonly is utilized in our iron ore sales contracts is the Platts 62% Price, which can
fluctuate widely due to numerous factors, such as global economic growth or contraction, change in demand for steel
or changes in availability of supply. The other important metric in our price realizations in the U.S. is the prices for hot-
rolled coil, which can fluctuate due to similar factors.
Provisional Pricing Arrangements
Certain of our U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore customer supply agreements specify provisional price
calculations, where the pricing mechanisms generally are based on market pricing, with the final revenue rate to be
based on market inputs at a specified point in time in the future, per the terms of the supply agreements. At December
31, 2016, we had derivative assets and liabilities of $10.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, reflected as part of our
U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore segment revenue, representing the fair value of the provisional price calculations.
We estimate that a positive or negative $10 change in the Platts 62% Price from the December 31, 2016 estimated price
recorded would cause the fair value of the derivative instrument to increase or decrease by approximately $8 million,
respectively, for our Asia Pacific Iron Ore segment. Additionally, for our U.S. Iron Ore segment, one customer's supply
agreement has a pricing mechanism based on 2017 hot rolled coil index pricing in addition to the Platts 62% Price. In
this case, a $75 positive or negative change in the hot rolled coil index pricing would cause the fair value of the derivative
instrument to increase or decrease by approximately $3 million, respectively, thereby impacting our consolidated revenues
by the same amount.
We have not entered into any hedging programs to mitigate the risk of adverse price fluctuations; however, most
of our Asia Pacific Iron Ore supply agreements are short-term in nature and therefore do not expose us to long-term risk.
Customer Supply Agreements
A certain supply agreement with one U.S. Iron Ore customer provides for supplemental revenue or refunds based
on the customer’s average annual hot-rolled coil steel pricing at the time the product is consumed in the customer’s blast
furnace. In the new contract which commences in 2017, this supplemental revenue and refund data source changes
from the customer's average annual steel price to an indexed hot-rolled coil price. At December 31, 2016, we had
derivative assets of $21.3 million, representing the fair value of the pricing factors, based upon the amount of unconsumed
long tons and an estimated average hot-rolled coil price related to the period in which the long tons are expected to be
consumed in the customer’s blast furnace at each respective steelmaking facility, subject to final pricing at a future date.
We estimate that a $75 positive or negative change in the customer's average hot-rolled coil price realized from the
December 31, 2016 estimated price recorded would cause the fair value of the derivative instrument to increase or
decrease by approximately $9 million, thereby impacting our consolidated revenues by the same amount.
We have not entered into any hedging programs to mitigate the risk of adverse price fluctuations; however certain
of our term supply agreements contain price collars, which typically limit the percentage increase or decrease in prices
for our products during any given year.
Volatile Energy and Fuel Costs
The volatile cost of energy is an important issue affecting our production costs, primarily in relation to our iron
ore operations. Our consolidated U.S. Iron Ore mining ventures consumed approximately 17.8 million MMBtu’s of natural
gas at an average delivered price of $3.03 per MMBtu excluding the natural gas hedge impact or $3.04 per MMBtu net
of the natural gas hedge impact during 2016. Additionally, our consolidated U.S. Iron Ore mining ventures consumed
approximately 20.5 million gallons of diesel fuel at an average delivered price of $1.64 per gallon excluding the diesel
fuel hedge impact or $1.61 per gallon net of the diesel fuel hedge impact during 2016. Consumption of diesel fuel by
our Asia Pacific operations was approximately 9.9 million gallons at an average delivered price of $1.59 per gallon for
the same period.
In the ordinary course of business, there may also be increases in electrical costs at our U.S. mine sites.
Specifically, our Tilden mine in Michigan has entered into large curtailable special contracts with Wisconsin Electric Power
Company. Charges under those special contracts are subject to a power supply cost recovery mechanism that is based
on variations in the utility's actual fuel and purchase power expenses.
69
Our strategy to address increasing natural gas and diesel rates includes improving efficiency in energy usage,
identifying alternative providers and utilizing the lowest cost alternative fuels. An energy hedging program was
implemented in order to manage the price risk of diesel and natural gas at our U.S. Iron Ore mines during the first quarter
of 2016 and was replicated for the first quarter of 2017. We will continue to monitor relevant energy markets for risk
mitigation opportunities and may make additional forward purchases or employ other hedging instruments in the future
as warranted and deemed appropriate by management. In the near term, a 10% change in natural gas and diesel fuel
prices would result in a change of approximately $10.6 million in our annual fuel and energy cost based on expected
consumption for 2017. However, due to our regulated electrical contracts with our suppliers, we have a reduced risk
compared to market based electricity rates.
Valuation of Other Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances that
would indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. Such indicators may include, among others:
a significant decline in expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in market pricing; a significant adverse
change in legal or environmental factors or in the business climate; changes in estimates of our recoverable reserves;
unanticipated competition; and slower growth or production rates. Any adverse change in these factors could have a
significant impact on the recoverability of our long-lived assets and could have a material impact on our consolidated
statements of operations and statement of financial position.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We are subject to changes in foreign currency exchange rates as a result of our operations in Australia, which
could impact our financial condition. With respect to Australia, foreign exchange currency risk arises from our exposure
to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates because our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, but the functional
currency of our Asia Pacific operations is the Australian dollar. Our Asia Pacific operations receive funds in U.S. currency
for their iron ore sales and incur costs in Australian dollars.
We have not entered into any hedging programs to mitigate the risk of adverse currency fluctuations. Our last
outstanding Australian foreign exchange rate contract held as a cash flow hedge matured in October 2015. We have
suspended entering into new foreign exchange rate contracts through 2017 as we have waived compliance with our
current derivative financial instruments and hedging activities policy through December 31, 2017. In the future, we may
enter into additional hedging instruments as needed in order to further hedge our exposure to changes in foreign currency
exchange rates.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest payable on our senior notes is at fixed rates. Interest payable under our ABL Facility is at a variable
rate based upon the base rate plus the base rate margin depending on the excess availability. As of December 31, 2016,
we had no amounts drawn on the ABL Facility.
Supply Concentration Risks
Many of our mines are dependent on one source each of electric power and natural gas. A significant interruption
or change in service or rates from our energy suppliers could impact materially our production costs, margins and
profitability.
Outlook
In 2017, we expect to generate $510 million of net income and $850 million of adjusted EBITDA (See Non-
GAAP Reconciliation - EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Outlook below for reconciliation.) This expectation is based on
the assumption that iron ore and steel prices will average levels consistent with the full month of January throughout
2017. In future quarters, we anticipate continuing to update 2017 net income and adjusted EBITDA guidance.
Segment Outlook
Consistent with the SEC's recent guidance on the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures, we will be
taking a more robust approach to reconciling our non-GAAP measures. We will begin providing guidance for cost of
goods sold and operating expense rate including freight and venture partner's cost reimbursements, which have offsetting
amounts in revenue and have no impact on sales margin. In the 2017 outlook summary below, a reconciliation to cash
costs of goods sold and operating expense rate is provided for our two business segments, consistent with how guidance
was previously shown.
70
Per Sales Ton Information
Cost of goods sold and operating expense rate
Less:
Freight and venture partner's cost reimbursements expense rate (C)
Depreciation, depletion & amortization rate
Cash cost of goods sold and operating expense rate
Sales volume (million tons)
Production volume (million tons)
(A) U.S. Iron Ore tons are reported in long tons of pellets.
(B) Asia Pacific Iron Ore tons are reported in metric tons of lump and fines.
2017 Outlook Summary
U.S. Iron Ore (A)
$70 - $75
Asia Pacific Iron
Ore (B)
$37 - $42
$11
$4
$55 - $60
19.0
19.0
$2
$1
$34 - $39
11.5
11.5
(C) The freight and venture partners' cost reimbursements have offsetting amounts in revenue and have no impact on sales
margin.
U.S. Iron Ore Outlook (Long Tons)
As previously disclosed, for 2017, we expect full-year sales and production volumes of approximately 19 million
long tons from our U.S. Iron Ore business. This compares to 18.2 million long tons of sales and 16.0 million long tons
of production in 2016.
Our full-year 2017 U.S. Iron Ore cash cost of goods sold and operating expense expectation is $55 - $60 per
long ton, which compares to $56 per long ton for the full-year 2016.
Asia Pacific Iron Ore Outlook (Metric Tons, F.O.B. the port)
Our full-year 2017 Asia Pacific Iron Ore expected sales and production volume is approximately 11.5 million
tons. The product mix is expected to contain 50 percent lump ore and 50 percent fines.
Based on a full-year average exchange rate of $0.75 U.S. Dollar to Australian Dollar, our full-year 2017 cash
cost of goods sold and operating expense expectation is $34 - $39 per metric ton, which compares to $34 per metric
ton for the full-year 2016.
SG&A Expenses and Other Expectations
Full-year 2017 SG&A expenses are expected to be approximately $100 million, an $18 million reduction from
the full-year 2016 expense. We also note that of the $100 million expectation, approximately $25 million is considered
non-cash.
Our full-year 2017 interest expense is expected to be approximately $175 million, compared to $201 million
recorded in 2016. Consolidated full-year 2017 depreciation, depletion and amortization is expected to be approximately
$100 million.
Capital Budget Update
We expect full-year 2017 capital expenditures to be $105 million, which includes approximately $40 million
related to the completion of the Mustang Project at the United Taconite mine.
71
Non-GAAP Reconciliation - EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Outlook
In addition to the consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have presented
EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA on both a consolidated basis and on a segment basis, which are non-GAAP financial
measures that management uses in evaluating operating performance. The presentation of these measures is not
intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as superior to, the financial information prepared and
presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The presentation of these measures may be different from non-GAAP financial
measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of these consolidated measures to their most directly comparable
GAAP measures is provided in the table below.
Net Income (Loss)
Less:
Interest expense, net
Income tax benefit (expense)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
EBITDA
Less:
Adjustments*
Adjusted EBITDA
(In Millions)
Year Ending
December 31,
2017
510.0
(175.0)
(65.0)
(100.0)
850.0
—
850.0
$
$
$
$
*Adjustments to EBITDA are unpredictable by nature and thus cannot be forecasted.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES of the
consolidated financial statements for a description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the respective dates
of adoption and effects on results of operations and financial condition.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our
consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Preparation of financial
statements requires management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of
assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingencies. Management bases its
estimates on various assumptions and historical experience, which are believed to be reasonable; however, due to the
inherent nature of estimates, actual results may differ significantly due to changed conditions or assumptions. On a
regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our
financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects
cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences
could be material. Management believes that the following critical accounting estimates and judgments have a significant
impact on our financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore Provisional Pricing Arrangements
Most of our U.S. Iron Ore long-term supply agreements are comprised of a base price with annual price
adjustment factors. The base price is the primary component of the purchase price for each contract. The inflation-
indexed price adjustment factors are integral to the iron ore supply contracts and vary based on the agreement, but
typically include adjustments based upon changes in the Platts 62% Price, along with pellet premiums, published Platts
international indexed freight rates and changes in specified Producer Price Indices, including those for industrial
commodities, energy and steel. The pricing adjustments generally operate in the same manner, with each factor typically
72
comprising a portion of the price adjustment, although the weighting of each factor varies based upon the specific terms
of each agreement. In most cases, these adjustment factors have not been finalized at the time our product is sold. In
these cases, we estimate the adjustment factors at each reporting period based upon the best third-party information
available. The estimates are then adjusted to actual when the information has been finalized.
The Producer Price Indices remain an estimated component of the sales price throughout the contract year
and are estimated each quarter using publicly available forecasts of such indices. The final indices referenced in certain
of the U.S. Iron Ore supply contracts typically are not published by the U.S. Department of Labor until the second quarter
of the subsequent year. As a result, we record an adjustment for the difference between the fourth quarter estimate
and the final price in the following year.
Throughout the year, certain of our Asia Pacific Iron Ore customers have contractual arrangements in which
pricing settlements are based upon an average index price for future periods. Most of the future periods are settled
within three months. To the extent the particular pricing settlement period is subsequent to the reporting period, we
estimate the final pricing settlement based upon information available. Similar to U.S. Iron Ore, the estimates are then
adjusted to actual when the price settlement period elapses.
Historically, provisional pricing arrangement adjustments have not been material as they have represented a
minor portion of U.S. and Asia Pacific Iron Ore's respective revenues for each of the fiscal years ended December 31,
2016, 2015 and 2014.
U.S. Iron Ore Customer Supply Agreements
In addition, certain supply agreements with one U.S. Iron Ore customer include provisions for supplemental
revenue or refunds based on the customer's average annual steel pricing for the year that the product is consumed in
the customer's blast furnaces. The supplemental pricing is characterized as a freestanding derivative and is required
to be accounted for separately once the product is shipped. The derivative instrument, which is finalized based on a
future price, is marked to fair value as a revenue adjustment each reporting period until the pellets are consumed and
the amounts are settled. The fair value of the instrument is determined using a market approach based on an estimate
of the annual realized price of hot-rolled coil at the steelmaker's facilities, and takes into consideration current market
conditions and nonperformance risk. At December 31, 2016, we had a derivative asset of $21.3 million, representing
the fair value of the pricing factors, based upon the amount of unconsumed long tons and an estimated average hot-
rolled coil price related to the period in which the iron ore are expected to be consumed in the customer's blast furnace
at each respective steelmaking facility, subject to final pricing at a future date. This compares with a derivative asset
of $5.8 million as of December 31, 2015, based upon the amount of unconsumed iron ore and the related estimated
average hot-rolled coil price.
The customer's average annual price is not known at the time of sale and the actual price is received on a
delayed basis at the end of the year, once the average annual price has been finalized. As a result, we estimate the
average price and adjust the estimate to actual in the fourth quarter when the information is provided by the customer
at the end of each year. Information used in developing the estimate includes such factors as production and preliminary
pricing information from the customer, current spot prices, third-party analyst forecasts, publications and other industry
information. The accuracy of our estimates typically increases as the year progresses based on additional information
in the market becoming available and the customer's ability to more accurately determine the average price it will realize
for the year. The following represents the historical accuracy of our pricing estimates related to the derivative as well
as the impact on revenue resulting from the difference between the estimated price and the actual price for each quarter
during 2016, 2015 and 2014 prior to receiving final information from the customer for long tons consumed during each
year:
2016
Estimated
Price
Impact on
Revenue
(in
millions)
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Final
Price
$450
450
450
450
$426
479
468
450
Final
Price
$487
487
$1.0
(4.9)
(5.8)
487
— 487
73
2015
Estimated
Price
Impact on
Revenue
(in
millions)
$563
504
489
487
($7.1)
(2.9)
(0.5)
—
Final
Price
$654
654
654
654
2014
Estimated
Price
$646
651
653
654
Impact on
Revenue
(in
millions)
$1.1
0.6
(0.5)
—
As an example, we estimate that a $75 positive or negative change in the average hot-rolled coil price realized
from the December 31, 2016 estimated price recorded for the unconsumed long tons remaining at year end would
cause the fair value of the derivative instrument to increase or decrease by approximately $9.0 million, respectively,
thereby impacting our consolidated revenues by the same amount.
Mineral Reserves
We regularly evaluate our mineral reserves and update them as required in accordance with SEC Industry
Guide 7. The estimated mineral reserves could be affected by future industry conditions, geological conditions and
ongoing mine planning. Maintenance of effective production capacity of the mineral reserve could require increases in
capital and development expenditures. Generally, as mining operations progress, haul lengths and lifts increase.
Alternatively, changes in economic conditions or the expected quality of mineral reserves could decrease capacity of
mineral reserves. Technological progress could alleviate such factors or increase capacity of mineral reserves.
We use our mineral reserve estimates, combined with our estimated annual production levels, to determine the
mine closure dates utilized in recording the fair value liability for asset retirement obligations. Refer to NOTE 11 -
ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINE CLOSURE OBLIGATIONS, for further information. Since the liability represents the
present value of the expected future obligation, a significant change in mineral reserves or mine lives would have a
substantial effect on the recorded obligation. We also utilize mineral reserves for evaluating potential impairments of
mine assets and in determining maximum useful lives utilized to calculate depreciation and amortization of long-lived
mine assets. Increases or decreases in mineral reserves or mine lives could significantly affect these items.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
In assessing the recoverability of our long-lived assets, significant assumptions regarding the estimated future
cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets must be made, as well as the related
estimated useful lives. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future as a result of changes in
strategy or market conditions, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets in the period such
determination was made.
We monitor conditions that indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may be impaired. In
order to determine if assets have been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable,
independent cash flows are available. An impairment loss exists when projected undiscounted cash flows are less than
the carrying value of the assets. The measurement of the impairment loss to be recognized is based on the difference
between the fair value and the carrying value of the assets. Fair value can be determined using a market approach,
income approach or cost approach. The impairment analysis and fair value determination can result in substantially
different outcomes based on critical assumptions and estimates including the quantity and quality of remaining mineral
reserves, future iron ore prices and production costs.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, there were no impairment indicators present, as a result no
impairment assessments were required. During 2015, we identified factors that indicated the carrying values of certain
asset groups may not be recoverable. Primary factors included the impact of estimated long-term price forecasts that
were updated as part of management’s long-range planning process. Updated estimates of long-term prices for all
products, specifically the Platts 62% Price, which particularly affects the Asia Pacific Iron Ore business segment because
their contracts correlate heavily to world market spot pricing, were lower than prior estimates. These estimates were
updated based upon current market conditions, macro-economic factors influencing the balance of supply and demand
for our products and expectations for future cost and capital expenditure requirements. Although certain factors indicated
that the carrying value of certain asset groups may not be recoverable during 2015, an assessment was performed and
no further impairment was indicated.
Refer to NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, NOTE 4 -
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT and NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS for further
information regarding our policy on asset impairment, detail on our remaining PP&E and mineral rights and non-recurring
fair value measurements.
Investments In and Receivables From Canadian Entities
We determined the fair value and recoverability of our Canadian investments by comparing the estimated fair
value of the underlying assets of the Canadian Entities to estimated liabilities. We estimated the fair value of major
asset classes by using actual liquidation values through December 31, 2016 less estimated cost to sell. Outstanding
74
liabilities include accounts payable and other liabilities, forward commitments, unsubordinated related party payables,
lease liabilities, and other potential claims. Potential claims include an accrual for the estimated probable loss related
to claims that may be asserted against the Canadian Entities under certain contracts. Based on our estimates, the fair
value of liabilities exceeds the fair value of assets. To assess the fair value and recoverability of amounts receivable
from the Canadian Entities, we estimated the fair value of the underlying net assets of the Canadian Entities available
for distribution to their creditors in relation to the estimated creditor claims and the priority of those claims. Our estimates
involve significant judgment and are based on currently available information, an assessment of the validity of certain
claims, and estimated payments by the Canadian Entities. Our ultimate recovery, if any, is subject to the final liquidation
value of the Canadian Entities and the distribution of the net proceeds as determined by the Canadian Court and may
vary significantly from our current estimates. See NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS for further information.
Asset Retirement Obligations and Environmental Remediation Costs
The accrued mine closure obligations for our active mining operations provide for contractual and legal
obligations associated with the eventual closure of the mining operations. Our obligations are determined based on
detailed estimates adjusted for factors that a market participant would consider (i.e., inflation, overhead and profit),
which are escalated at an assumed rate of inflation to the estimated closure dates, and then discounted using the current
credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. The estimate also incorporates incremental increases in the closure cost estimates
and changes in estimates of mine lives. The closure date for each location is determined based on the exhaustion date
of the remaining iron ore reserves, which is dependent on our estimate of mineral reserves. The estimated obligations
are particularly sensitive to the impact of changes in mine lives given the difference between the inflation and discount
rates. Changes in the base estimates of legal and contractual closure costs due to changes in legal or contractual
requirements, available technology, inflation, overhead or profit rates also would have a significant impact on the recorded
obligations.
We have a formal policy for environmental protection and restoration. Our obligations for known environmental
matters at active and closed mining operations and other sites have been recognized based on estimates of the cost
of investigation and remediation at each site. If the obligation can only be estimated as a range of possible amounts,
with no specific amount being more likely, the minimum of the range is accrued. Management reviews its environmental
remediation sites quarterly to determine if additional cost adjustments or disclosures are required. The characteristics
of environmental remediation obligations, where information concerning the nature and extent of clean-up activities is
not immediately available and which are subject to changes in regulatory requirements, result in a significant risk of
increase to the obligations as they mature. Expected future expenditures are not discounted to present value unless
the amount and timing of the cash disbursements can be reasonably estimated. Potential insurance recoveries are not
recognized until realized. Refer to NOTE 11 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINE CLOSURE OBLIGATIONS, for further
information.
Income Taxes
Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits reflect
management's best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and
various foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the consolidated income
tax expense.
Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between tax and financial statement recognition of
revenue and expense. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, we consider all available positive
and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax
planning strategies and recent financial operations. In projecting future taxable income, we begin with historical results
adjusted for the results of discontinued operations and changes in accounting policies and incorporate assumptions
including the amount of future state, federal and foreign pretax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences,
and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment
about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage
the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, we consider three years
of cumulative operating income (loss).
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had a valuation allowance of $3,334.8 million and $3,372.5 million,
respectively, against our deferred tax assets. Our losses in certain locations in recent periods represented sufficient
negative evidence to require a full valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets. Additionally, significant
Alternative Minimum Tax credits have been generated in recent years. Sufficient negative evidence suggests that the
credits will not be realized in the foreseeable future, and a full valuation allowance has been recorded on the deferred
75
tax asset. We intend to maintain a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets related to these operating losses,
credits and allowances until sufficient positive evidence exists to support the realization of such assets.
Changes in tax laws and rates also could affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. In the
year ended December 31, 2016 Luxembourg enacted a statutory rate reduction which decreased the deferred tax assets
and related valuation allowance by $149.1 million. Management is not aware of any other changes that would have a
material effect on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws
and regulations in various jurisdictions across our global operations.
Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements requires that a tax benefit
from an uncertain tax position be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon
examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on technical merits.
We recognize tax liabilities in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, and we adjust these liabilities when
our judgment changes as a result of evaluation of new information not previously available. Due to the complexity of
some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in payment that is materially different from our current
estimate of the tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in
the period in which they are determined.
Employee Retirement Benefit Obligations
We offer defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution pension plans and other postretirement benefit
plans, primarily consisting of retiree healthcare benefits, to most employees in North America as part of a total
compensation and benefits program. We do not have employee retirement benefit obligations at our Asia Pacific Iron
Ore operations. The defined benefit pension plans largely are noncontributory and benefits generally are based on
employees' years of service and average earnings for a defined period prior to retirement, or a minimum formula.
Following is a summary of our U.S. defined benefit pension and OPEB funding and expense for the years 2014
through 2017:
2014
2015
2016
2017 (Estimated)
Pension
OPEB
Funding
49.6
$
Expense
26.2
$
35.7
1.2
24.5
23.9
16.5
18.6
Funding
5.5
$
3.5
Expense
$
(2.5)
4.4
1.1
4.1
(4.0)
(5.3)
Assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations and the value of plan assets for defined benefit pension
plans and postretirement benefit plans (primarily retiree healthcare benefits) that we offer are evaluated periodically by
management. Critical assumptions, such as the discount rate used to measure the benefit obligations, the expected
long-term rate of return on plan assets, the medical care cost trend, and the rate of compensation increase are reviewed
annually.
76
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we used the following assumptions:
U.S. plan discount rate
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
Salaried Pension Plan
Ore Mining Pension Plan
SERP
Hourly OPEB Plan
Salaried OPEB Plan
U.S. rate of compensation increase - Salaried
U.S. rate of compensation increase - Hourly
U.S. pension plan expected return on plan assets
U.S. OPEB plan expected return on plan assets
Pension and Other
Benefits
2016
2015
4.02 %
4.27 %
3.92
4.04
3.90
4.02
3.99
3.00
2.00
8.25
7.00
4.12
4.28
4.22
4.32
4.22
3.00
2.00
8.25
7.00
The decrease in the discount rates in 2016 was driven by the change in bond yields, which were down
approximately 25 basis points compared to the prior year.
Additionally, on December 31, 2016, the assumed mortality improvement projection was changed from
generational scale MP-2015 to generational scale MP-2016. The healthy mortality assumption remains the RP-2014
mortality tables with blue collar and white collar adjustments made for certain hourly and salaried groups to determine
the expected life of our plan participants.
Following are sensitivities of potential further changes in these key assumptions on the estimated 2017 pension
and OPEB expense and the pension and OPEB benefit obligations as of December 31, 2016:
Decrease discount rate 0.25%
Decrease return on assets 1.00%
Increase medical trend rate 1.00%
Increase in Expense
Increase in Benefit
Obligation
(In Millions)
(In Millions)
Pension
$
1.3 $
6.6
N/A
OPEB
0.2
2.5
2.9
Pension
$
25.0 $
N/A
N/A
OPEB
7.4
N/A
23.4
Changes in actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, employee retirement rates, mortality, compensation
levels, plan asset investment performance and healthcare costs, are determined based on analyses of actual and
expected factors. Changes in actuarial assumptions and/or investment performance of plan assets may have a significant
impact on our financial condition due to the magnitude of our retirement obligations. Refer to NOTE 7 - PENSIONS
AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K for further information.
77
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal
securities laws. As a general matter, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated trends and expectations rather
than historical matters. Forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to Cliffs’ operations
and business environment that are difficult to predict and may be beyond our control. Such uncertainties and factors
may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These
statements speak only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no ongoing obligation, other than that imposed by
law, to update these statements. Uncertainties and risk factors that could affect Cliffs’ future performance and cause
results to differ from the forward-looking statements in this report include, but are not limited to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
uncertainty and weaknesses in global economic conditions, including downward pressure on prices caused
by oversupply or imported products, the impact of any reduced barriers to trade, the outcomes of recently
filed and forthcoming trade cases, reduced market demand and any change to the economic growth rate in
China;
continued volatility of iron ore and steel prices and other trends, including the supply approach of the major
iron ore producers, affecting our financial condition, results of operations or future prospects, specifically the
impact of price-adjustment factors on our sales contracts;
our level of indebtedness could limit cash flow available to fund working capital, capital expenditures,
acquisitions and other general corporate purposes or ongoing needs of our business;
availability of capital and our ability to maintain adequate liquidity;
our ability to successfully conclude the CCAA process in a manner that minimizes cash outflows and
associated liabilities;
the impact of our customers reducing their steel production due to increased market share of steel produced
using other methods or lighter-weight steel alternatives;
uncertainty relating to restructurings in the steel industry and/or affecting the steel industry;
the outcome of any contractual disputes with our customers, joint venture partners or significant energy,
material or service providers or any other litigation or arbitration;
the ability of our customers and joint venture partners to meet their obligations to us on a timely basis or at
all;
problems or uncertainties with productivity, tons mined, transportation, mine-closure obligations,
environmental liabilities, employee-benefit costs and other risks of the mining industry;
our ability to reach agreement with our customers regarding any modifications to sales contract provisions,
renewals or new arrangements;
our actual levels of capital spending;
our ability to successfully diversify our product mix and add new customers beyond our traditional blast
furnace clientele;
our actual economic iron ore reserves or reductions in current mineral estimates, including whether any
mineralized material qualifies as a reserve;
our ability to cost-effectively achieve planned production rates or levels;
our ability to successfully identify and consummate any strategic investments or development projects;
changes in sales volume or mix;
events or circumstances that could impair or adversely impact the viability of a mine and the carrying value
of associated assets, as well as any resulting impairment charges;
•
our ability to maintain appropriate relations with unions and employees;
78
•
•
•
•
•
impacts of existing and increasing governmental regulation and related costs and liabilities, including failure
to receive or maintain required operating and environmental permits, approvals, modifications or other
authorization of, or from, any governmental or regulatory entity and costs related to implementing
improvements to ensure compliance with regulatory changes;
uncertainties associated with natural disasters, weather conditions, unanticipated geological conditions,
supply or price of energy, equipment failures and other unexpected events;
adverse changes in currency values, currency exchange rates, interest rates and tax laws;
risks related to international operations; and
the potential existence of significant deficiencies or material weakness in our internal control over financial
reporting.
For additional factors affecting the business of Cliffs, refer to Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors. You are urged to
carefully consider these risk factors.
Non-GAAP Reconciliation
We present cash cost of goods sold and operating expense rate per long/metric ton, which is a non-GAAP
financial measure that management uses in evaluating operating performance. We believe our presentation of non-
GAAP cash cost of goods sold and operating expenses is useful to investors because it excludes depreciation, depletion
and amortization, which are non-cash, and freight and joint venture partners' cost reimbursements, which have no impact
on sales margin, thus providing a more accurate view of the cash outflows related to the sale of iron ore. The presentation
of this measure is not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as superior to, the financial
information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of this measure may be different from
non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Below is a reconciliation in dollars of this non-GAAP financial
measure to our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
(In Millions)
Year Ended December 31,
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2015
U.S. Iron
Ore
Asia Pacific
Iron Ore
Total
U.S. Iron
Ore
Asia Pacific
Iron Ore
Total
$
(1,278.8) $
(440.9) $
(1,719.7) $
(1,298.3) $
(478.5) $
(1,776.8)
Cost of goods sold and operating
expenses
Less:
Freight and reimbursements
(174.8)
(20.7)
(195.5)
(157.3)
(23.6)
(180.9)
Depreciation, depletion &
amortization
Cash cost of goods sold and
operating expenses
(84.0)
(25.1)
(109.1)
(98.9)
(25.3)
(124.2)
$
(1,020.0) $
(395.1) $
(1,415.1) $
(1,042.1) $
(429.6) $
(1,471.7)
79
Below is a reconciliation in dollars of this non-GAAP measure to our consolidated financial statements for the
years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
(In Millions)
Year Ended December 31,
Year Ended December 31,
2015
Asia
Pacific Iron
Ore
U.S. Iron
Ore
Total
U.S. Iron
Ore
2014
Asia
Pacific Iron
Ore
Other
Total
$ (1,298.3) $
(478.5) $ (1,776.8) $ (1,796.1) $
(745.0)
53.6
$ (2,487.5)
Cost of goods sold and
operating expenses
Less:
Freight and reimbursements
(157.3)
(23.6)
(180.9)
(271.0)
(6.9)
Depreciation, depletion &
amortization
Elimination with discontinued
operations
Cash cost of goods sold and
operating expenses
(98.9)
(25.3)
(124.2)
(107.4)
(145.9)
—
—
—
—
—
53.6
53.6
$ (1,042.1) $
(429.6) $ (1,471.7) $ (1,417.7) $
(592.2) $
— $ (2,009.9)
—
—
(277.9)
(253.3)
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Information regarding our Market Risk is presented under the caption Market Risks, which is included in Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and is incorporated by reference
and made a part hereof.
80
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Statements of Consolidated Financial Position
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and Subsidiaries
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Inventories
Supplies and other inventories
Loans to and accounts receivables from the Canadian Entities
Insurance coverage receivable
Other current assets
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS
(In Millions)
December 31,
2016
2015
$
$
323.4 $
128.7
178.4
91.4
48.6
—
54.1
824.6
984.4
114.9
1,923.9 $
285.2
40.2
329.6
110.4
72.9
93.5
50.9
982.7
1,059.0
93.8
2,135.5
(continued)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
81
Statements of Consolidated Financial Position
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and Subsidiaries - (Continued)
LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable
Accrued employment costs
State and local taxes payable
Accrued expenses
Accrued interest
Accrued royalties
Guarantees
Insured loss
Other current liabilities
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT LIABILITIES
Pensions
Other postretirement benefits
TOTAL POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT LIABILITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINE CLOSURE OBLIGATIONS
LONG-TERM DEBT
OTHER LIABILITIES
TOTAL LIABILITIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (SEE NOTE 20)
EQUITY
CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Preferred Stock - no par value
Class A - 3,000,000 shares authorized
(In Millions)
December 31,
2016
2015
$
107.6 $
56.1
28.3
41.1
40.2
26.2
0.2
—
91.4
391.1
245.7
34.8
280.5
193.9
2,175.1
213.8
3,254.4
106.3
53.0
35.2
32.4
53.3
17.3
96.5
93.5
94.2
581.7
209.7
11.3
221.0
231.2
2,699.4
213.8
3,947.1
7% Series A Mandatory Convertible, Class A, no par value and $1,000 per
share liquidation preference (See Note 15)
Issued and Outstanding - none issued (2015 - 731,223 shares)
Class B - 4,000,000 shares authorized
Common Shares - par value $0.125 per share
Authorized - 400,000,000 shares (2015 - 400,000,000 shares);
Issued - 238,636,794 shares (2015 - 159,546,224 shares);
Outstanding - 233,074,091 shares (2015 - 153,591,930 shares)
Capital in excess of par value of shares
Retained deficit
Cost of 5,562,703 common shares in treasury (2015 - 5,954,294 shares)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
TOTAL CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
TOTAL DEFICIT
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND DEFICIT
—
731.3
29.8
3,347.0
(4,574.3)
(245.5)
(21.3)
(1,464.3)
133.8
(1,330.5)
1,923.9 $
19.8
2,298.9
(4,748.4)
(265.0)
(18.0)
(1,981.4)
169.8
(1,811.6)
2,135.5
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
82
Statements of Consolidated Operations
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and Subsidiaries
REVENUES FROM PRODUCT SALES AND SERVICES
Product
Freight and venture partners' cost reimbursements
COST OF GOODS SOLD AND OPERATING EXPENSES
SALES MARGIN
OTHER OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets
Miscellaneous - net
OPERATING INCOME
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense, net
Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt
Other non-operating income (expense)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND
EQUITY LOSS FROM VENTURES
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)
EQUITY LOSS FROM VENTURES, net of tax
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax
NET INCOME (LOSS)
LOSS (INCOME) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
(Year Ended December 31, 2016 - No loss related to Discontinued Operations, Year Ended December 31, 2015 -
Loss of $7.7 million and Year Ended December 31, 2014 - Loss of $1,113.3 million related to Discontinued
Operations)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS
SHAREHOLDERS - BASIC
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS
SHAREHOLDERS - DILUTED
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES (IN THOUSANDS)
Basic
Diluted
(In Millions, Except Per Share
Amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2015
2014
$
$ 1,913.5
195.5
2,109.0
(1,719.7)
389.3
$ 1,832.4
180.9
2,013.3
(1,776.8)
236.5
3,095.2
278.0
3,373.2
(2,487.5)
885.7
(117.8)
—
(30.7)
(148.5)
240.8
(200.5)
166.3
0.4
(33.8)
207.0
12.2
—
219.2
(19.9)
199.3
(25.2)
174.1
—
174.1
0.98
(0.10)
0.88
0.97
(0.10)
0.87
(110.0)
(3.3)
28.1
(85.2)
151.3
(228.5)
392.9
(2.6)
161.8
313.1
(169.3)
(0.1)
143.7
(892.1)
(748.4)
(154.7)
(635.5)
34.6
(755.6)
130.1
(176.7)
16.2
10.7
(149.8)
(19.7)
86.0
(9.9)
56.4
(8,368.0)
(8,311.6)
(0.9)
1,087.4
(749.3) $ (7,224.2)
(51.2)
(38.4)
(787.7) $ (7,275.4)
$
0.63
(5.77)
(5.14) $
(0.14)
(47.38)
(47.52)
$
0.63
(5.76)
(5.13) $
(0.14)
(47.38)
(47.52)
$
$
$
$
$
$
197,659
200,145
153,230
153,605
153,098
153,098
$
$
$
$
$
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
83
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and Subsidiaries
(In Millions)
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
2016
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS
$
174.1 $
(749.3) $ (7,224.2)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Pension and OPEB liability, net of tax
Unrealized net gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax
Unrealized net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation
Unrealized net gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of tax
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS
SHAREHOLDERS
(19.8)
—
18.6
(2.6)
(3.8)
45.2
1.7
155.6
20.7
223.2
(91.0)
(7.2)
(42.3)
2.8
(137.7)
0.5
4.6
4.8
$
170.8 $
(521.5) $ (7,357.1)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
84
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and Subsidiaries
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by
operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets
Deferred income taxes
Changes in deferred revenue and below-market sales contracts
Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt
Loss on deconsolidation, net of cash deconsolidated
Loss (gain) on sale of North American Coal mines
Other
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables and other assets
Product inventories
Payables and accrued expenses
Net cash provided by operating activities
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Investments in DIP and pre-petition financing
Proceeds from DIP and pre-petition financing
Proceeds (uses) from sale of North American Coal mines
Other investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares
Proceeds from first lien notes offering
Debt issuance costs
Borrowings under credit facilities
Repayment under credit facilities
Repayments of equipment loans
Repurchase of debt
Contributions (to)/by joint ventures, net
Distributions of partnership equity
Common stock dividends
Preferred stock dividends
Other financing activities
(In Millions)
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
2016
$
199.3
$
(748.4) $
(8,311.6)
115.4
—
—
(20.5)
(166.3)
17.5
(2.1)
32.6
43.2
157.8
(73.9)
303.0
(69.1)
(1.5)
8.3
3.6
0.8
(57.9)
287.4
—
(5.2)
105.0
(105.0)
(95.6)
(305.4)
(3.2)
(59.9)
—
—
(24.5)
(206.4)
(0.5)
38.2
285.2
323.4
$
134.0
76.6
159.8
(42.6)
(392.9)
668.3
(9.3)
113.0
369.1
(62.0)
(227.7)
37.9
(80.8)
(14.0)
—
(15.2)
6.8
(103.2)
—
503.5
(33.6)
309.8
(309.8)
(45.4)
(225.9)
0.1
(40.6)
—
(51.2)
(45.9)
61.0
(1.4)
(5.7)
290.9
285.2
$
504.0
9,029.9
(1,153.9)
(18.0)
(16.2)
—
419.6
(11.6)
(82.8)
37.8
(38.3)
358.9
(284.1)
—
—
155.0
25.5
(103.6)
—
—
(9.0)
1,219.5
(1,219.5)
(20.9)
(28.8)
(25.7)
—
(92.5)
(51.2)
(60.2)
(288.3)
(11.6)
(44.6)
335.5
290.9
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
See NOTE 17 - CASH FLOW INFORMATION.
85
Statements of Consolidated Changes in Equity
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and Subsidiaries
(In Millions)
Cliffs Shareholders
Number
of
Depositary
Shares
Depositary
Shares
Number
of
Common
Shares
Common
Shares
Capital in
Excess of
Par Value
of Shares
Retained
Earnings
Common
Shares
in
Treasury
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
Non-
Controlling
Interest
Total
29.3
$
731.3
153.2
$ 19.8
$2,329.5
$ 3,407.3
$ (305.5) $
(112.9) $
814.8
$ 6,884.3
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(19.7)
—
—
(7,224.2)
—
—
—
—
(92.5)
(51.3)
—
—
—
—
19.8
—
—
— (1,087.4)
(8,311.6)
(132.9)
(4.8)
(137.7)
(1,092.2)
(8,449.3)
—
—
—
—
—
(0.1)
(25.5)
—
—
—
(0.1)
(25.5)
0.1
(92.5)
(51.3)
29.3
$
731.3
153.2
$ 19.8
$2,309.8
$ (3,960.7) $ (285.7) $
(245.8) $ (303.0) $ (1,734.3)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
0.3
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(10.9)
(749.3)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
20.7
—
(38.4)
—
—
227.8
—
—
—
—
—
—
0.9
(4.6)
(3.7)
0.2
(0.2)
(51.7)
528.2
—
—
(748.4)
223.2
(525.2)
0.2
(0.2)
(51.7)
528.2
9.8
(38.4)
January 1, 2014
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net loss
Other comprehensive loss
Total comprehensive loss
Capital contribution by noncontrolling
interest to subsidiary
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
Stock and other incentive plans
Common stock dividends ($.60 per
share)
Preferred Share dividends ($1.76 per
depositary share)
December 31, 2014
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income (loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive loss
Capital contribution to noncontrolling
interest to subsidiary
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
Distributions of partnership equity
Effect of deconsolidation
Stock and other incentive plans
Preferred Share dividends ($1.32 per
depositary share)
December 31, 2015
29.3
$
731.3
153.5
$ 19.8
$2,298.9
$ (4,748.4) $ (265.0) $
(18.0) $
169.8
$ (1,811.6)
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Total comprehensive income
—
—
—
—
Preferred Share conversion
(29.3)
(731.3)
Equity offering
Debt exchanges
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
Distributions of partnership equity
Stock and other incentive plans
—
—
—
—
—
December 31, 2016
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
26.5
44.4
8.2
—
—
0.5
—
—
3.5
5.5
1.0
—
—
—
—
—
727.8
281.9
44.2
—
—
(5.8)
174.1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
19.5
—
(3.3)
—
—
—
—
—
—
25.2
(0.5)
24.7
—
—
—
(3.2)
(57.5)
—
199.3
(3.8)
195.5
—
287.4
45.2
(3.2)
(57.5)
13.7
233.1
$ 29.8
$3,347.0
$ (4,574.3) $ (245.5) $
(21.3) $
133.8
$ (1,330.5)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
86
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Business
We are a leading mining and natural resources company in the U.S. We are a major supplier of iron ore pellets
to the North American steel industry from our mines and pellet plants located in Michigan and Minnesota. We also operate
the Koolyanobbing iron ore mining complex in Western Australia, which provides iron ore to the seaborne market for
Asian steel producers.
Significant Accounting Policies
We consider the following policies to be beneficial in understanding the judgments that are involved in the
preparation of our consolidated financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact our financial condition, results
of operations and cash flows.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with GAAP, requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
The more significant areas requiring the use of management estimates and assumptions related to mineral reserves
future realizable cash flow; environmental, reclamation and closure obligations; valuation of long-lived assets; valuation
of inventory; valuation of post-employment, post-retirement and other employee benefit liabilities; valuation of tax assets;
reserves for contingencies and litigation; the fair value of derivative instruments; and the fair value of loans to and accounts
receivable from Canadian entities. Actual results could differ from estimates. On an ongoing basis, management reviews
estimates. Changes in facts and circumstances may alter such estimates and affect the results of operations and financial
position in future periods.
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned and majority-
owned subsidiaries, including the following operations at December 31, 2016:
Name
Northshore
United Taconite
Tilden
Empire
Koolyanobbing
Location
Minnesota
Minnesota
Michigan
Michigan
Western Australia
Ownership
Interest
100.0%
100.0%
85.0%
79.0%
100.0%
Operation
Iron Ore
Iron Ore
Iron Ore
Iron Ore
Iron Ore
Status of Operations
Active
Active
Active
Indefinitely Idled
Active
Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.
Equity Method Investments
Investments in unconsolidated ventures that we have the ability to exercise significant influence over, but not
control, are accounted for under the equity method.
Hibbing
Our 23% ownership interest in Hibbing is recorded as an equity method investment. As of December 31, 2016
and December 31, 2015, our investment in Hibbing was $8.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively, classified in Other
liabilities in the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position.
Our share of equity income (loss) is eliminated against consolidated product inventory upon production, and
against Cost of goods sold and operating expenses when sold. This effectively reduces our cost for our share of the
mining ventures' production cost, reflecting the cost-based nature of our participation in unconsolidated ventures.
87
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interest is primarily comprised of the 21% noncontrolling interest in the consolidated, but less-
than-wholly-owned subsidiary at our Empire mining venture and through the CCAA filing on January 27, 2015, the 17.2%
noncontrolling interest in the Bloom Lake operations. Financial results prior to the deconsolidation of the Bloom Lake
Group and subsequent expenses directly associated with the Canadian Entities are included in our financial statements.
The net loss and income attributable to the noncontrolling interest of the Empire mining venture was $25.2 million and
$8.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. There was no net income
or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest related to Bloom Lake for the year ended December 31, 2016. This
compares with a net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest related to Bloom Lake of $7.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 2015. See NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS for further information.
Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and on deposit as well as all short-term securities held for the
primary purpose of general liquidity. We consider investments in highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity
of three months or less from the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. We routinely monitor and evaluate counterparty
credit risk related to the financial institutions by which our short-term investment securities are held.
Trade Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for
doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in our existing accounts receivable. We
establish provisions for losses on accounts receivable when it is probable that all or part of the outstanding balance will
not be collected. We regularly review our accounts receivable balances and establish or adjust the allowance as necessary
using the specific identification method. The allowance for doubtful accounts was zero and $7.1 million at December 31,
2016 and 2015, respectively. There was no bad debt expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014. There
was $7.1 million bad debt expense for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Inventories
U.S. Iron Ore
U.S. Iron Ore product inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost of iron ore inventories is
determined using the LIFO method.
We had approximately 1.5 million long tons and 1.3 million long tons of finished goods stored at ports and
customer facilities on the lower Great Lakes to service customers at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We
maintain ownership of the inventories until title has transferred to the customer, usually when payment is received.
Maintaining ownership of the iron ore products at ports on the lower Great Lakes reduces risk of non-payment by
customers.
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore product inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Costs of iron ore inventories
are being valued on a weighted average cost basis. We maintain ownership of the inventories until title has transferred
to the customer, which generally is when the product is loaded into the vessel.
Supplies and Other Inventories
Supply inventories include replacement parts, fuel, chemicals and other general supplies, which are expected
to be used or consumed in normal operations. Supply inventories also include critical spares. Critical spares are
replacement parts for equipment that is critical for the continued operation of the mine or processing facilities.
Supply inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using average cost, less an allowance for obsolete
and surplus items. The allowance for obsolete and surplus items was $14.0 million and $31.8 million at December 31,
2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in the allowance for obsolete and surplus items during the year ended
December 31, 2016, was primarily a result of the disposal of Empire's supplies inventory of approximately $17.4 million
that was fully reserved for as of the previous year end.
88
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
We are exposed to certain risks related to the ongoing operations of our business, including those caused by
changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We have established policies and
procedures, including the use of certain derivative instruments, to manage such risks, if deemed necessary.
Derivative financial instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the Statements of Consolidated
Financial Position and measured at fair value. For derivative instruments that have not been designated as cash flow
hedges, changes in fair value are recorded in the period of the instrument's earnings or losses.
Refer to NOTE 13 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES for further information.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Our properties are stated at the lower of cost less accumulated depreciation or fair value. Depreciation of plant
and equipment is computed principally by the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives, not to exceed the
mine lives. The U.S. Iron Ore operations use the double-declining balance method of depreciation for certain mining
equipment. The Asia Pacific Iron Ore operation uses the production output method for certain mining equipment.
Depreciation is provided over the following estimated useful lives:
Asset Class
Office and information technology
Buildings
Mining equipment
Processing equipment
Electric power facilities
Land improvements
Asset retirement obligation
Basis
Straight line
Straight line
Straight line/Double declining balance
Straight line
Straight line
Straight line
Straight line
Life
3 to 15 Years
45 Years
3 to 20 Years
10 to 45 Years
10 to 45 years
20 to 45 years
Life of mine
Depreciation continues to be recognized when operations are idled temporarily.
Refer to NOTE 4 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT for further information.
Capitalized Stripping Costs
During the development phase, stripping costs are capitalized as a part of the depreciable cost of building,
developing and constructing a mine. These capitalized costs are amortized over the productive life of the mine using
the units of production method. The production phase does not commence until the removal of more than a de minimis
amount of saleable mineral material occurs in conjunction with the removal of overburden or waste material for purposes
of obtaining access to an ore body. The stripping costs incurred in the production phase of a mine are variable production
costs included in the costs of the inventory produced (extracted) during the period that the stripping costs are incurred.
Stripping costs related to expansion of a mining asset of proven and probable reserves are variable production
costs that are included in the costs of the inventory produced during the period that the stripping costs are incurred.
Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Other intangible assets are subject to periodic amortization on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful
lives as follows:
Intangible Assets
Permits - Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Permits - USIO
Basis
Units of production
Useful Life (years)
Life of mine
Straight line
Life of mine
89
Asset Impairment
Long-Lived Tangible and Intangible Assets
We monitor conditions that may affect the carrying value of our long-lived tangible and intangible assets when
events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset groups may not be recoverable. In order to
determine if assets have been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable,
independent cash flows are available ("asset group"). An impairment loss exists when projected undiscounted cash
flows are less than the carrying value of the asset group. The measurement of the impairment loss to be recognized is
based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset group. Fair value can be determined
using a market approach, income approach or cost approach.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, there were no impairment indicators present; as a result no impairment
assessments were required. As a result of the 2015 assessments, there were no material impairment charges related
to long-lived tangible or intangible assets at our continuing operations. During 2014, we recorded a long-lived tangible
asset impairment charge of $537.8 million and an intangible asset impairment charge of $13.8 million in our Statements
of Consolidated Operations related to our continuing operations.
Refer to NOTE 4 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NOTE 12 - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES and NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS for further information.
Fair Value Measurements
Valuation Hierarchy
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for
classification of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the
valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market
participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are
inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on
market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our own views about the
assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information
available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:
•
•
Level 1 — Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or other
inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the
financial instrument.
•
Level 3 — Valuation is based upon other unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement.
The classification of assets and liabilities within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input
that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities
measured at fair value are as follows:
Cash Equivalents
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, cash equivalents are classified within Level 1 of the
valuation hierarchy. Cash equivalents classified in Level 1 at December 31, 2016 and 2015 include money market funds.
Valuation of these instruments is determined using a market approach and is based upon unadjusted quoted prices for
identical assets in active markets.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative financial instruments valued using financial models that use as their basis readily observable market
parameters are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. Such derivative financial instruments include our
commodity hedge and foreign currency exchange contracts. Derivative financial instruments that are valued based upon
models with significant unobservable market parameters and are normally traded less actively, are classified within Level
3 of the valuation hierarchy.
Refer to NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS and NOTE 7 - PENSIONS AND OTHER
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS for further information.
90
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
We offer defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution pension plans and other postretirement benefit
plans, primarily consisting of retiree healthcare benefits, to most employees in North America as part of a total
compensation and benefits program. We do not have employee pension or post-retirement benefit obligations at our
Asia Pacific Iron Ore operations.
We recognize the funded or unfunded status of our postretirement benefit obligations on our December 31, 2016
and 2015 Statements of Consolidated Financial Position based on the difference between the market value of plan assets
and the actuarial present value of our retirement obligations on that date, on a plan-by-plan basis. If the plan assets
exceed the retirement obligations, the amount of the surplus is recorded as an asset; if the retirement obligations exceed
the plan assets, the amount of the underfunded obligations are recorded as a liability. Year-end balance sheet adjustments
to postretirement assets and obligations are recorded as Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
The actuarial estimates of the PBO and APBO incorporate various assumptions including the discount rates,
the rates of increases in compensation, healthcare cost trend rates, mortality, retirement timing and employee turnover.
The discount rate is determined based on the prevailing year-end rates for high-grade corporate bonds with a duration
matching the expected cash flow timing of the benefit payments from the various plans. The remaining assumptions are
based on our estimates of future events by incorporating historical trends and future expectations. The amount of net
periodic cost that is recorded in the Statements of Consolidated Operations consists of several components including
service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, and amortization of previously unrecognized amounts. Service
cost represents the value of the benefits earned in the current year by the participants. Interest cost represents the cost
associated with the passage of time. Certain items, such as plan amendments, gains and/or losses resulting from
differences between actual and assumed results for demographic and economic factors affecting the obligations and
assets of the plans, and changes in other assumptions are subject to deferred recognition for income and expense
purposes. The expected return on plan assets is determined utilizing the weighted average of expected returns for plan
asset investments in various asset categories based on historical performance, adjusted for current trends. See NOTE
7 - PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS for further information.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset retirement obligations are recognized when incurred and recorded as liabilities at fair value. The fair value
of the liability is determined as the discounted value of the expected future cash flow. The asset retirement obligation
is accreted over time through periodic charges to earnings. In addition, the asset retirement cost is capitalized and
amortized over the life of the related asset. Reclamation costs are adjusted periodically to reflect changes in the estimated
present value resulting from the passage of time and revisions to the estimates of either the timing or amount of the
reclamation costs. We review, on an annual basis, unless otherwise deemed necessary, the asset retirement obligation
at each mine site in accordance with the provisions of ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations. We
perform an in-depth evaluation of the liability every three years in addition to routine annual assessments.
Future reclamation costs for inactive mines are accrued based on management’s best estimate at the end of
each period of the costs expected to be incurred at a site. Such cost estimates include, where applicable, ongoing
maintenance and monitoring costs. Changes in estimates at inactive mines are reflected in earnings in the period an
estimate is revised. See NOTE 11 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINE CLOSURE OBLIGATIONS for further information.
Environmental Remediation Costs
We have a formal policy for environmental protection and restoration. Our mining and exploration activities are
subject to various laws and regulations governing protection of the environment. We conduct our operations to protect
the public health and environment and believe our operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in
all material respects. Our environmental liabilities, including obligations for known environmental remediation exposures
at active and closed mining operations and other sites, have been recognized based on the estimated cost of investigation
and remediation at each site. If the cost only can be estimated as a range of possible amounts with no point in the range
being more likely, the minimum of the range is accrued. Future expenditures are not discounted unless the amount and
timing of the cash disbursements reasonably can be estimated. It is possible that additional environmental obligations
could be incurred, the extent of which cannot be assessed. Potential insurance recoveries have not been reflected in
the determination of the liabilities. See NOTE 11 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINE CLOSURE OBLIGATIONS for further
information.
91
Revenue Recognition
We sell our products pursuant to comprehensive supply agreements negotiated and executed with our customers.
Revenue is recognized from a sale when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable,
the product is delivered in accordance with F.O.B. terms, title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer in
accordance with the specified provisions of each supply agreement and collection of the sales price reasonably is assured.
Our U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore supply agreements provide that title and risk of loss transfer to the customer
either upon loading of the vessel, shipment or, as is the case with some of our U.S. Iron Ore supply agreements, when
payment is received. Under certain term supply agreements, we ship the product to ports on the lower Great Lakes or
to the customers’ facilities prior to the transfer of title. Our rationale for shipping iron ore products to certain customers
and retaining title until payment is received for these products is to minimize credit risk exposure.
Sales are recorded at a sales price specified in the relevant supply agreements resulting in revenue and a
receivable at the time of sale. Upon revenue recognition for provisionally priced sales, a freestanding derivative is created
for the difference between the sales price used and expected future settlement price. The derivative, which does not
qualify for hedge accounting, is adjusted to fair value through Product revenues as a revenue adjustment each reporting
period based upon current market data and forward-looking estimates determined by management until the final sales
price is determined. The principal risks associated with recognition of sales on a provisional basis include iron ore price
fluctuations between the date initially recorded and the date of final settlement. For revenue recognition, we estimate
the future settlement rate; however, if significant changes in iron ore prices occur between the provisional pricing date
and the final settlement date, we might be required to either return a portion of the sales proceeds received or bill for the
additional sales proceeds due based on the provisional sales price. Refer to NOTE 13 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES for further information.
In addition, certain supply agreements with one customer include provisions for supplemental revenue or refunds
based on the customer’s annual steel pricing for the year the product is consumed in the customer’s blast furnaces. We
account for this provision as a free standing derivative instrument at the time of sale and record this provision at fair
value until the year the product is consumed and the amounts are settled as an adjustment to revenue. Refer to NOTE
13 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES for further information.
Revenue from product sales and services also includes reimbursement for freight charges associated with
domestic freight and venture partner cost reimbursements for the U.S. Iron Ore operations and freight associated with
CFR based shipments paid on behalf of customers for the Asia Pacific Iron Ore operations. These are included in Freight
and venture partners' cost reimbursements separate from Product revenues. Revenue is recognized for the expected
reimbursement of services when the services are performed.
Deferred Revenue
The terms of one of our U.S. Iron Ore pellet supply agreements required supplemental payments to be paid by
the customer during the period 2009 through 2012, with the option to defer a portion of the 2009 monthly amount in
exchange for interest payments until the deferred amount was repaid in 2013. Installment amounts received under this
arrangement in excess of sales were classified as deferred revenue in the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position
upon receipt of payment. Revenue is recognized over the life of the supply agreement, which extends until 2022, in
equal annual installments. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, installment amounts received in excess of sales totaled
$77.1 million and $89.9 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, deferred revenue of $16.4 million was recorded
in Other current liabilities and $64.2 million was recorded as long-term in Other liabilities in the Statements of Consolidated
Financial Position. As of December 31, 2015, deferred revenue of $12.8 million was recorded in Other current liabilities
and $77.1 million was recorded as long-term in Other liabilities in the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position.
In 2016 and 2014, due to the payment terms and the timing of cash receipts near year-end, cash receipts
exceeded shipments for certain customers. The shipments were completed early in the subsequent years. We considered
whether revenue should be recognized on these sales under the “bill and hold” guidance provided by the SEC Staff;
however, based upon the assessment performed, revenue recognition on these transactions totaling $3.4 million and
$29.3 million were deferred on the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position for the years ended December 31,
2016 and 2014, respectively.
92
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses represents all direct and indirect costs and expenses applicable to
the sales of our mining operations. Operating expenses primarily represent the portion of the Tilden mining venture costs
for which we do not own; that is, the costs attributable to the share of the mine’s production owned by the other joint
venture partner in the Tilden mine. The mining venture functions as a captive cost company; it supplies product only to
its owners effectively for the cost of production. Accordingly, the noncontrolling interests’ revenue amounts are stated
at cost of production and are offset by an equal amount included in Cost of goods sold and operating expenses resulting
in no sales margin reflected for the noncontrolling partner participant. As we are responsible for product fulfillment, we
act as a principal in the transaction and, accordingly, record revenue under these arrangements on a gross basis.
The following table is a summary of reimbursements in our U.S. Iron Ore operations for the years ended
December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
Reimbursements for:
Freight
Venture partners’ cost
Total reimbursements
(In Millions)
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
2016
$
$
106.8 $
68.0
174.8 $
105.3 $
52.0
157.3 $
163.0
108.0
271.0
In 2014, we began selling a portion of our Asia Pacific Iron Ore product on a CFR basis. As a result, $20.7
million, $23.6 million and $6.9 million of freight was included in Cost of goods sold and operating expenses for the years
ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Where we have joint ownership of a mine, our contracts entitle us to receive royalties and/or management fees,
which we earn as the pellets are produced.
Repairs and Maintenance
Repairs, maintenance and replacement of components are expensed as incurred. The cost of major equipment
overhauls is capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful life, which is the period until the next scheduled
overhaul, generally five years. All other planned and unplanned repairs and maintenance costs are expensed when
incurred.
Share-Based Compensation
The fair value of each performance share grant is estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation
to forecast relative TSR performance. Consistent with the guidelines of ASC 718, Stock Compensation, a correlation
matrix of historic and projected stock prices was developed for both the Company and its predetermined peer group of
mining and metals companies. The fair value assumes that performance goals will be achieved.
The expected term of the grant represents the time from the grant date to the end of the service period for each
of the three plan-year agreements. We estimated the volatility of our common shares and that of the peer group of mining
and metals companies using daily price intervals for all companies. The risk-free interest rate is the rate at the grant
date on zero-coupon government bonds, with a term commensurate with the remaining life of the performance plans.
The fair value of stock options is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes model using the grant
date price of our common shares and option exercise price, and assumptions regarding the option’s expected term, the
volatility of our common shares, the risk-free interest rate, and the dividend yield over the option’s expected term.
Upon vesting of share-based compensation awards, we issue shares from treasury shares before issuing new
shares.
Refer to NOTE 8 - STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS for additional information.
93
Income Taxes
Income taxes are based on income for financial reporting purposes, calculated using tax rates by jurisdiction,
and reflect a current tax liability or asset for the estimated taxes payable or recoverable on the current year tax return
and expected annual changes in deferred taxes. Any interest or penalties on income tax are recognized as a component
of income tax expense.
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred
tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial
statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the
financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the
differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized
in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In
making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of
deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial results of operations.
Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements requires that a tax benefit from
an uncertain tax position be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination,
including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on technical merits.
See NOTE 9 - INCOME TAXES for further information.
Discontinued Operations
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals
of Components of an Entity, which changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional
disclosures about discontinued operations. The standard requires that an entity report as a discontinued operation only
a disposal that represents a strategic shift in operations that has a major effect on its operations and financial results.
ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for new disposals that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December
15, 2014. Early adoption was permitted and we adopted ASU 2014-08 during the year ended December 31, 2014.
North American Coal Operations
As we executed our strategy to focus on strengthening our U.S. Iron Ore operations, management determined
as of March 31, 2015 that our North American Coal operating segment met the criteria to be classified as held for sale
under ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements and continued to meet the criteria throughout 2015. In December
2015, we completed the sale of our remaining two metallurgical coal operations, Oak Grove and Pinnacle mines, which
marked our exit from the coal business. Our plan to sell the Oak Grove and Pinnacle mine assets represented a strategic
shift in our business. For this reason, our previously reported North American Coal operating segment results for all
periods, prior to the March 31, 2015 held for sale determination, as well as costs to exit are classified as discontinued
operations. Refer to NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS for further discussion of our discontinued operations.
Canadian Operations
As more fully described in NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, in January 2015, we announced that
the Bloom Lake Group commenced restructuring proceedings in Montreal, Quebec under the CCAA. At that time, we
had suspended Bloom Lake operations and for several months had been exploring options to sell certain of our Canadian
assets, among other initiatives. Effective January 27, 2015, following the CCAA filing of the Bloom Lake Group, we
deconsolidated the Bloom Lake Group and certain other wholly-owned subsidiaries comprising substantially all of our
Canadian operations. Additionally, on May 20, 2015, the Wabush Group commenced restructuring proceedings in
Montreal, Quebec under the CCAA which resulted in the deconsolidation of the remaining Wabush Group entities that
were not previously deconsolidated. The Wabush Group was no longer generating revenues and was not able to meet
its obligations as they came due. As a result of this action, the CCAA protections granted to the Bloom Lake Group were
extended to include the Wabush Group to facilitate the reorganization of each of their businesses and operations. Our
Canadian exit represents a strategic shift in our business. For this reason, our previously reported Eastern Canadian
Iron Ore and Ferroalloys operating segment results for all periods prior to the respective deconsolidations as well as
costs to exit are classified as discontinued operations.
94
Foreign Currency
Our financial statements are prepared with the U.S. dollar as the reporting currency. The functional currency of
our Australian subsidiaries is the Australian dollar. The functional currency of all other international subsidiaries is the
U.S. dollar. The financial statements of international subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange
rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and a weighted average exchange rate for each period for
revenues, expenses, gains and losses. Where the local currency is the functional currency, translation adjustments are
recorded as Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Income taxes generally are not provided for foreign currency
translation adjustments. To the extent that monetary assets and liabilities, inclusive of short-term and certain long-term
intercompany loans, are recorded in a currency other than the functional currency, these amounts are remeasured each
reporting period, with the resulting gain or loss being recorded in the Statements of Consolidated Operations. Transaction
gains and losses resulting from remeasurement of intercompany loans are included in Miscellaneous - net in our
Statements of Consolidated Operations.
The following represents the net gain related to impact of transaction gains and losses resulting from
remeasurement for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
Remeasurement of intercompany loans
Remeasurement of cash and cash equivalents
Other remeasurement
Net gain (loss) related to impact of transaction gains and
losses resulting from remeasurement
Earnings Per Share
2016
$
(In Millions)
2015
2014
(16.6) $
(1.0)
0.8
(16.8)
11.5 $
1.5
3.3
16.3
19.7
10.6
(1.3)
29.0
We present both basic and diluted earnings per share amounts for continuing operations and discontinued
operations. Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
Attributable to Cliffs Shareholders less any paid or declared but unpaid dividends on our depositary shares by the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding during the period presented. Diluted earnings per share amounts are
calculated by dividing Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Cliffs Shareholders by the weighted
average number of common shares, common share equivalents under stock plans using the treasury stock method and
the number of common shares that would be issued under an assumed conversion of our outstanding depositary shares,
each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of our Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A, under
the if-converted method. We currently do not have any outstanding depositary shares. Historically, when we have had
outstanding depositary shares, they were convertible into common shares based on the volume weighted average of
closing prices of our common shares over the 20 consecutive trading day period ending on the third day immediately
preceding the end of that reporting period. Common share equivalents are excluded from EPS computations in the
periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect. See NOTE 19 - EARNINGS PER SHARE for further information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Issued and Adopted
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain
Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new standard addresses eight specific changes to how cash receipts and cash
payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for interim and annual
reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. We have adopted the guidance
for the period ended December 31, 2016 and have applied this amended accounting guidance to the Statements of
Consolidated Cash Flows for all periods presented. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have an impact on prior results
reported in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows.
95
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity's Ability to Continue
as a Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 explicitly requires management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going
concern, and to provide related footnote disclosure in certain circumstances. ASU 2014-15 is intended to define
management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going
concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Specifically, ASU 2014-15 provides a definition of the term
"substantial doubt" and requires an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are
issued (or available to be issued). It also requires certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of
consideration of management’s plans and requires an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt
is not alleviated. The new standard is effective for all entities in the first annual period ending after December 15, 2016
and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. We have adopted the guidance for the year ended December 31,
2016. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 did not impact our disclosures in 2016.
In October 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This update
simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes, by requiring that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as
non-current in a classified statement of financial position. This update is effective for financial statements issued for
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods; however, early
adoption was permitted. This guidance can also be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets
or retrospectively to all periods presented. We adopted the guidance during the year ended December 31, 2015 and
have applied this amended accounting guidance to our deferred tax liabilities and assets for all periods presented. The
adoption of ASU 2015-17 did not have an impact on our Statements of Consolidated Operations or Statements of
Consolidated Cash Flows. The impact of the adoption of the guidance resulted in any current deferred tax assets or
liabilities being reclassified to non-current deferred tax assets or liabilities on the Statements of Consolidated Financial
Position.
Issued and Not Effective
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The new standard requires lessees to recognize
a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with the exception of short-term leases. For
lessees, leases will continue to be classified as either operating or finance leases in the income statement. Lessor
accounting is similar to the current model but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model. The effective
date of the new standard for public companies is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods
within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective
transition and requires application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented.
We are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and
related disclosures.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenues from Contracts with Customers. The new revenue
guidance broadly replaces the revenue guidance provided throughout the Codification. The core principle of the revenue
guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers
in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or
services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a
customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the
transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies
a performance obligation. The new revenue guidance also requires the capitalization of certain contract acquisition
costs. Reporting entities must prepare new disclosures providing qualitative and quantitative information on the nature,
amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. New disclosures also
include qualitative and quantitative information on significant judgments, changes in judgments, and contract acquisition
assets. At issuance, ASU 2014-09 was effective starting in 2017 for calendar-year public entities, and interim periods
within that year. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of
the Effective Date, which defers the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15,
2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual
reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.
During the fourth quarter of 2016, we completed the initial evaluation of the new standard and the related assessment
and review of a representative sample of existing revenue contracts with our customers. We determined, on a preliminary
basis, that although the timing and pattern of revenue recognition may change, the amount of revenue recognized during
the year should remain substantially the same. We anticipate utilizing the full retrospective transition method. The
primary impact of the adoption on our consolidated financial statements will be the additional required disclosures around
revenue recognition in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
96
NOTE 2 - SEGMENT REPORTING
Our continuing operations are organized and managed according to geographic location: U.S. Iron Ore and Asia
Pacific Iron Ore. Our U.S. Iron Ore segment is a major supplier of iron ore pellets to the North American steel industry
from our mines and pellet plants located in Michigan and Minnesota. The Asia Pacific Iron Ore segment is located in
Western Australia and provides iron ore to the seaborne market for Asian steel producers. There were no intersegment
product revenues in 2016, 2015 or 2014.
We have historically evaluated segment performance based on sales margin, defined as revenues less cost of
goods sold and operating expenses identifiable to each segment. Additionally, we evaluate segment performance based
on EBITDA, defined as net income (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, and
Adjusted EBITDA, defined as EBITDA excluding certain items such as extinguishment/restructuring of debt, impacts of
discontinued operations, foreign currency remeasurement, severance and contractor termination costs, certain supplies
inventory write-offs, impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets and other costs associated with the proxy contest
and change in control. These measures allow management and investors to focus on our ability to service our debt, as
well as illustrate how the business and each operating segment is performing. Additionally, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
assist management and investors in their analysis and forecasting as these measures approximate the cash flows
associated with operational earnings.
The following tables present a summary of our reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2016,
2015 and 2014, including a reconciliation of segment sales margin to Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before
Income Taxes and Equity Loss from Ventures and a reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:
Revenues from product sales and services:
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Total revenues from product sales and services
$ 1,554.5
554.5
$ 2,109.0
74% $ 1,525.4
487.9
26%
100% $ 2,013.3
76% $ 2,506.5
74%
24%
866.7
100% $ 3,373.2
26%
100%
2016
(In Millions)
2015
2014
Sales margin:
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Eliminations with discontinued operations
Sales margin
Other operating expense
Other income (expense)
$ 275.7
113.6
—
389.3
(148.5)
(33.8)
$ 227.1
$
710.4
9.4
—
236.5
(85.2)
161.8
121.7
53.6
885.7
(755.6)
(149.8)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
income taxes and equity loss from ventures
$ 207.0
$ 313.1
$
(19.7)
97
2016
(In Millions)
2015
2014
199.3 $
(748.4) $
(8,311.6)
(200.5)
12.2
(115.4)
503.0 $
(231.4)
(163.3)
(134.0)
(219.7) $
166.3 $
(19.9)
392.9 $
(892.0)
(16.8)
(0.1)
—
—
16.3
(10.2)
(16.3)
(3.3)
—
373.5 $
—
292.9 $
342.4 $
128.3
32.3
503.0 $
359.6 $
132.9
(119.0)
373.5 $
317.6 $
35.3
(572.6)
(219.7) $
352.1 $
32.7
(91.9)
(185.2)
1,302.0
(504.0)
(8,924.4)
16.2
(9,332.5)
29.0
(23.3)
—
(635.5)
(26.6)
1,048.3
805.6
(352.9)
(9,377.1)
(8,924.4)
833.5
252.9
(38.1)
292.9 $
1,048.3
Net income (loss)
Less:
Interest expense, net
Income tax benefit (expense)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Total EBITDA
Less:
Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt
Impact of discontinued operations
Foreign exchange remeasurement
Severance and contractor termination costs
Supplies inventory write-off
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets
Proxy contest and change in control in SG&A
Total Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA:
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Other (including discontinued operations)
Total EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA:
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Other
Total Adjusted EBITDA
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
98
Depreciation, depletion and amortization:
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Other
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization
Capital additions1:
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Other
Total capital additions
(In Millions)
2015
2014
2016
84.0 $
25.1
6.3
115.4 $
98.9 $
25.3
6.6
130.8 $
107.4
145.9
7.7
261.0
62.2 $
0.2
6.1
68.5 $
58.2 $
5.4
8.6
72.2 $
48.4
10.8
6.3
65.5
$
$
$
$
1 Includes capital lease additions and non-cash accruals. Refer to NOTE 17 - CASH FLOW INFORMATION.
A summary of assets by segment is as follows:
Assets:
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Total segment assets
Corporate
Assets of Discontinued Operations
Total assets
(In Millions)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
$
$
1,372.5 $
155.1
1,527.6
396.3
—
1,923.9 $
1,476.4 $
202.5
1,678.9
441.7
14.9
2,135.5 $
1,464.9
306.2
1,771.1
666.2
709.9
3,147.2
Included in the consolidated financial statements are the following amounts relating to geographic location:
Revenue
United States
China
Canada
Other countries
Total revenue
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
United States
Australia
Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Concentrations in Revenue
(In Millions)
2016
2015
2014
$
$
$
$
1,236.2 $
452.5
267.1
153.2
2,109.0 $
1,206.4 $
370.8
282.4
153.7
2,013.3 $
961.0 $
23.4
984.4 $
1,012.7 $
46.3
1,059.0 $
1,923.2
662.7
430.5
356.8
3,373.2
998.1
72.4
1,070.5
In 2016, two customers individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated product revenue and in
2015 and 2014, three customers individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated product revenue. Total
product revenue from these customers represents approximately $1.1 billion, $1.3 billion and $1.9 billion of our total
consolidated product revenue in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is attributable to our U.S. Iron Ore business
segment.
99
The following table represents the percentage of our total revenue contributed by each category of products and
services in 2016, 2015 and 2014:
Revenue category
Product
Freight and venture partners’ cost reimbursements
Total revenue
NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES
2016
2015
2014
91%
9%
91%
9%
100% 100%
92%
8%
100%
The following table presents the detail of our Inventories in the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position
as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:
(In Millions)
Segment
U.S. Iron Ore
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Total
December 31, 2016
Work-in
Process
Total
Inventory
Finished
Goods
December 31, 2015
Work-in
Process
Total
Inventory
Finished
Goods
$
$
124.4 $
12.6 $
23.6
17.8
148.0 $
30.4 $
137.0 $
41.4
178.4 $
252.3 $
11.7 $
20.8
44.8
273.1 $
56.5 $
264.0
65.6
329.6
Asia Pacific Iron Ore had no long-term work-in-process stockpiles at December 31, 2016. There were $6.8
million long-term work-in-process stockpiles classified as Other non-current assets in the Statements of Consolidated
Financial Position as of December 31, 2015.
U.S. Iron Ore
The excess of current cost over LIFO cost of iron ore inventories was $78.5 million and $87.8 million at
December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, the product inventory balance for U.S. Iron Ore
declined, resulting in the liquidation of a LIFO layer in 2016. The effect of the inventory reduction was an increase in
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses of $8.8 million in the Statements of Consolidated Operations for the year
ended December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2015, the product inventory balance for U.S. Iron Ore increased, resulting
in a LIFO increment in 2015. The effect of the inventory build was an increase in Inventories of $118.8 million in the
Statements of Consolidated Financial Position for the year ended December 31, 2015.
100
NOTE 4 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The following table indicates the value of each of the major classes of our consolidated depreciable assets as
of December 31, 2016 and 2015:
Land rights and mineral rights
Office and information technology
Buildings
Mining equipment
Processing equipment
Electric power facilities
Land improvements
Asset retirement obligation
Other
Construction in-progress
Allowance for depreciation and depletion
(In Millions)
December 31,
2016
2015
$
$
500.5 $
65.1
67.9
592.2
552.0
49.4
23.5
19.8
28.1
42.8
1,941.3
(956.9)
984.4 $
500.5
71.0
60.4
594.0
516.8
46.4
24.8
87.9
28.2
40.3
1,970.3
(911.3)
1,059.0
We recorded depreciation expense of $106.8 million, $119.2 million and $173.0 million in the Statements of
Consolidated Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, there were no factors present that indicated the carrying value of certain
asset groups would not be recoverable; therefore, there were no impairments during 2016. Our asset groups consist of
the assets and liabilities of our mines and associated reserves. The lowest level of identifiable cash flows largely are at
the U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore segment levels.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, although certain factors indicated that the carrying value of certain asset
groups may not be recoverable, an assessment was performed and no further impairment was indicated.
During the second half of 2014, due to lower than previously expected profits as a result of decreased iron ore
pricing expectations and increased costs, we determined that indicators of impairment with respect to certain of our long-
lived assets or asset groups existed. As a result of these assessments during 2014, we determined that the future cash
flows associated with our Asia Pacific Iron Ore asset group and other asset groups were not sufficient to support the
recoverability of the carrying value of these productive assets. Accordingly, during 2014, an other long-lived asset
impairment charge of $537.8 million was recorded as Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets in the Statements
of Consolidated Operations related to property, plant and equipment. The fair value estimates were calculated using
income and market approaches.
101
The net book value of the land rights and mineral rights as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:
Land rights
Mineral rights:
Cost
Depletion
Net mineral rights
(In Millions)
December 31,
2016
2015
11.6 $
11.6
488.9 $
(112.2)
376.7 $
488.9
(108.4)
380.5
$
$
$
Accumulated depletion relating to mineral rights, which was recorded using the unit-of-production method, is
included in Cost of goods sold and operating expenses. We recorded depletion expense of $3.8 million, $7.4 million
and $79.6 million in the Statements of Consolidated Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014,
respectively. As discussed above, during 2014 we performed impairment assessments with respect to certain of our
long-lived assets or asset groups. As a result of these assessments, we recorded an other long-lived asset impairment
charge related to mineral rights of $297.2 million associated with our Asia Pacific Iron Ore asset group.
NOTE 5 - DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES
The following represents a summary of our long-term debt as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:
($ in Millions)
December 31, 2016
Annual
Effective
Interest
Rate
Total
Principal
Amount
Debt
Issuance
Costs
Undiscounted
Interest/
(Unamortized
Discounts)
Total Debt
Debt Instrument
Secured Notes
$540 Million 8.25% 2020 First Lien Notes
9.97% $
540.0 $
(8.0) $
(25.7) $
N/A
218.5
—
65.7
506.3
284.2
$218.5 Million 8.00% 2020 1.5 Lien Notes
$544.2 Million 7.75% 2020 Second Lien
Notes
Unsecured Notes
$400 Million 5.90% 2020 Senior Notes
$500 Million 4.80% 2020 Senior Notes
$700 Million 4.875% 2021 Senior Notes
$800 Million 6.25% 2040 Senior Notes
ABL Facility
Fair Value Adjustment to Interest Rate Hedge
Total debt
Less current portion
Long-term debt
15.55%
430.1
(5.8)
(85.2)
339.1
5.98%
4.83%
4.89%
6.34%
N/A
225.6
236.8
309.4
298.4
550.0
(0.6)
(0.7)
(1.0)
(2.5)
N/A
(0.5)
(0.2)
(0.2)
(3.4)
N/A
224.5
235.9
308.2
292.5
—
1.9
$ 2,192.6
17.5
$ 2,175.1
102
($ in Millions)
December 31, 2015
Annual
Effective
Interest
Rate
Total
Principal
Amount
Debt
Issuance
Costs
Undiscounted
Interest/
(Unamortized
Discounts)
Total Debt
Debt Instrument
Secured Notes
$540 Million 8.25% 2020 First Lien Notes
9.97% $
540.0 $
(10.5) $
(32.1) $
497.4
$544.2 Million 7.75% 2020 Second Lien
Notes
Unsecured Notes
$500 Million 3.95% 2018 Senior Notes
$400 Million 5.90% 2020 Senior Notes
$500 Million 4.80% 2020 Senior Notes
$700 Million 4.875% 2021 Senior Notes
$800 Million 6.25% 2040 Senior Notes
ABL Facility
Fair Value Adjustment to Interest Rate Hedge
Long-term debt
Senior Secured Notes
15.55%
544.2
(9.5)
(131.5)
403.2
6.30%
5.98%
4.83%
4.89%
6.34%
N/A
311.2
290.8
306.7
412.5
492.8
550.0
(0.9)
(1.1)
(1.1)
(1.7)
(4.3)
N/A
(1.2)
(0.8)
(0.4)
(0.2)
(5.8)
N/A
309.1
288.9
305.2
410.6
482.7
—
2.3
$ 2,699.4
Our First Lien Notes bear interest at a rate of 8.25% per annum. Interest on the First Lien Notes is payable
semi-annually in arrears on March 31 and September 30 of each year, commencing on September 30, 2015. The First
Lien Notes mature on March 31, 2020 and are secured senior obligations of the Company.
Our 1.5 Lien Notes bear interest at a rate of 8.00% per annum. Interest on the 1.5 Lien Notes is payable semi-
annually in arrears on March 31 and September 30 of each year, commencing on September 30, 2016. The 1.5 Lien
Notes mature on September 30, 2020 and are secured senior obligations of the Company.
Our Second Lien Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.75% per annum. Interest on the Second Lien Notes is payable
semi-annually in arrears on March 31 and September 30 of each year, commencing on September 30, 2015. The Second
Lien Notes mature on March 31, 2020 and are secured senior obligations of the Company.
The First Lien Notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis
by substantially all of our material U.S. subsidiaries and are secured (subject in each case to certain exceptions and
permitted liens) by (i) a first-priority lien on substantially all of our U.S. assets, other than the ABL Collateral (the "Notes
Collateral"), and (ii) a second-priority lien on the U.S. ABL Collateral (as defined below), which is junior to a first-priority
lien for the benefit of the lenders under the ABL Facility. The First Lien Notes and guarantees are general senior obligations
of the Company and the applicable guarantor; are effectively senior to all of our unsecured indebtedness, to the extent
of the value of the collateral; together with other obligations secured equally and ratably with the First Lien Notes, are
effectively (i) senior to our existing and future ABL obligations, to the extent and value of the Notes Collateral and (ii)
senior to our obligations under the Second Lien Notes, to the extent and value of the collateral; are effectively subordinated
to (i) our existing and future ABL obligations, to the extent and value of the ABL Collateral, and (ii) any existing or future
indebtedness that is secured by liens on assets that do not constitute a part of the collateral, to the extent of the value
of such assets; will rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future senior indebtedness, and any guarantees
thereof; will rank equally in priority as to the Notes Collateral with any future debt secured equally and ratably with the
First Lien Notes incurred after March 30, 2015; rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future subordinated
indebtedness; and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries
that do not guarantee the First Lien Notes. The relative priority of the liens securing our First Lien Notes obligations, 1.5
Lien Notes obligations and Second Lien Notes obligations compared to the liens securing our obligations under the ABL
Facility and certain other matters relating to the administration of security interests are set forth in intercreditor agreements.
The 1.5 and Second Lien Notes have substantially similar terms to those of the First Lien Notes except with
respect to their priority security interest in the collateral. The 1.5 Lien Notes are jointly and severally and fully and
unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by substantially all of our material U.S. subsidiaries and are secured
(subject in each case to certain exceptions and permitted liens) on (i) a junior first-priority basis by substantially all of our
U.S. assets, other than the ABL Collateral, and (ii) a junior second-priority basis by our ABL Collateral, which secures
103
our ABL obligations on a first-priority basis, the First Lien Notes obligations on a senior second-priority basis and the
Second Lien Notes obligations on a third-priority basis. The Second Lien Notes are jointly and severally and fully and
unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by substantially all of our material U.S. subsidiaries and are secured
(subject in each case to certain exceptions and permitted liens) by (i) a second-priority lien (junior to the First Lien Notes)
on substantially all of our U.S. assets, other than the ABL Collateral, and (ii) a third-priority lien (junior to the ABL Facility
and the First Lien Notes) on the U.S. ABL Collateral.
The terms of the secured notes are governed by the secured notes indentures. The secured notes indentures
contain customary covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur certain secured indebtedness, create
liens on principal property and the capital stock or debt of a subsidiary that owns a principal property, use proceeds of
dispositions of collateral, enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions, merge or consolidate with another company
and transfer or sell all or substantially all of our assets. Upon the occurrence of a “change of control triggering event,”
as defined in the secured notes indentures, we are required to offer to repurchase the secured notes at 101% of the
aggregate principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
The secured notes indentures contain customary events of default, including failure to make required payments,
failure to comply with certain agreements or covenants, failure to pay or acceleration of certain other indebtedness,
certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency and failure to pay certain judgments. An event of default under the secured
notes indentures will allow either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then-
outstanding applicable series of secured notes issued under the applicable indenture to accelerate, or in certain cases,
will automatically cause the acceleration of, the amounts due under such series of secured notes.
The following is a summary of redemption prices for each of our secured senior notes:
First Lien Notes
1.5 Lien Notes
Second Lien Notes
Percent
of
Principal
Period
Percent
of
Principal
Early redemption1,2
100.00 %
Prior to March
31, 2018
100.00 %
Initial redemption1
108.25
Beginning on
March 31, 2018
104.00
Secondary
redemption1
100.00
Beginning on
June 30, 2019
100.00
Period
Prior to
September 30,
2017
Beginning on
September 30,
2017
Beginning on
September 30,
2019
Percent
of
Principal
Period
100.00 %
Prior to March
31, 2017
103.875
Beginning on
March 31, 2017
100.00
Beginning on
March 31, 2019
1 Plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to but excluding the redemption date.
2 Plus a "make-whole" premium. In addition, we may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount
(calculated after giving effect to any issuance of additional notes) with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a
redemption price of 108.25%, 108.00% and 107.75% for the First, 1.5 and Second Lien Notes, respectively, so long as at least 65%
of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of additional notes) issued
remain outstanding after each such redemption.
Unsecured Senior Notes
Our 3.95% senior notes were redeemed in whole on September 16, 2016 at a total redemption price of $301.0
million, which included $283.6 million outstanding aggregate principal. As a result, we recorded a $19.9 million pre-tax
loss on full retirement of long-term debt in the third quarter of 2016, which consisted of debt redemption premiums of
$17.4 million and expenses of $2.5 million related to the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs, unamortized bond
discount and deferred losses on interest rate swaps. The loss was recorded against the Gain on extinguishment/
restructuring of debt in the Statements of Consolidated Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Our 5.90% senior notes are due March 15, 2020. Interest is payable on March 15 and September 15 of each
year until maturity.
Our 4.80% senior notes are due October 1, 2020. Interest is payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year until
maturity.
Our 4.875% senior notes are due April 1, 2021. Interest is payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year until
maturity.
104
Our 6.25% senior notes are due October 1, 2040. Interest is payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year until
maturity.
The senior notes are unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all our other existing and
future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. There are no subsidiary guarantees of the interest and principal
amounts.
The senior notes may be redeemed any time at our option not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after
prior notice is sent to the holders of the applicable series of notes. The senior notes are redeemable at a redemption
price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed or (2) the sum of the present
values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed, discounted to the
redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the treasury rate plus 50 basis points with respect to the 2018 senior notes,
35 basis points with respect to the 2020 senior notes, 25 basis points with respect to the 2021 senior notes and 40 basis
points with respect to the 2040 senior notes, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
However, if the 2021 senior notes are redeemed on or after the date that is three months prior to their maturity date, the
2021 senior notes will be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be
redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
In addition, if a change of control triggering event occurs with respect to the senior notes, as defined in the
agreement, we will be required to offer to purchase the notes of the applicable series at a purchase price equal to 101%
of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase.
The terms of the senior notes contain certain customary covenants; however, there are no financial covenants.
ABL Facility
On March 30, 2015, we entered into a new senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with various
financial institutions. The ABL Facility will mature upon the earlier of March 30, 2020 or 60 days prior to the maturity of
the First Lien Notes and certain other material debt, and provides for up to $550.0 million in borrowings, comprised of
(i) a $450.0 million U.S. tranche, including a $250.0 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit and a $100.0
million sublimit for U.S. swingline loans, and (ii) a $100.0 million Australian tranche, including a $50.0 million sublimit for
the issuance of letters of credit and a $20.0 million sublimit for Australian swingline loans. Availability under both the
U.S. tranche and Australian tranche of the ABL Facility is limited to an eligible U.S. borrowing base and Australian
borrowing base, as applicable, determined by applying customary advance rates to eligible accounts receivable, inventory
and certain mobile equipment.
The ABL Facility and certain bank products and hedge obligations are guaranteed by us and certain of our
existing wholly-owned U.S. and Australian subsidiaries and are required to be guaranteed by certain of our future U.S.
and Australian subsidiaries; provided, however, that the obligations of any U.S. entity will not be guaranteed by any
Australian entity. Amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility will be secured by (i) a first-priority security interest in the
ABL Collateral, including, in the case of the Australian tranche only, ABL Collateral owned by a borrower or guarantor
that is organized under the laws of Australia, and (ii) a third-priority security interest in the Notes Collateral (as defined
herein). The priority of the security interests in the ABL Collateral and the Notes Collateral of the lenders under the ABL
Facility and the holders of the First Lien Notes are set forth in intercreditor provisions contained in an ABL intercreditor
agreement.
The ABL Collateral generally consists of the following assets: accounts receivable and other rights to payment,
inventory, as-extracted collateral, investment property, certain general intangibles and commercial tort claims, certain
mobile equipment, commodities accounts, deposit accounts, securities accounts and other related assets and proceeds
and products of each of the foregoing.
Borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest, at our option, at a base rate, an Australian base rate or, if certain
conditions are met, a LIBOR rate, in each case plus an applicable margin. The base rate is equal to the greater of the
federal funds rate plus ½ of 1%, the LIBOR rate based on a one-month interest period plus 1% and the floating rate
announced by BAML as its “prime rate.” The Australian base rate is equal to the LIBOR rate as of 11:00 a.m. on the first
business day of each month for a one-month period. The LIBOR rate is a per annum fixed rate equal to LIBOR with
respect to the applicable interest period and amount of LIBOR rate loan requested.
The ABL Facility contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants
including, among others, covenants regarding the maintenance of certain financial ratios if certain conditions are triggered,
covenants relating to financial reporting, covenants relating to the payment of dividends on, or purchase or redemption
of our capital stock, covenants relating to the incurrence or prepayment of certain debt, covenants relating to the incurrence
105
of liens or encumbrances, compliance with laws, transactions with affiliates, mergers and sales of all or substantially all
of our assets and limitations on changes in the nature of our business.
The ABL Facility provides for customary events of default, including, among other things, the event of nonpayment
of principal, interest, fees, or other amounts, a representation or warranty proving to have been materially incorrect when
made, failure to perform or observe certain covenants within a specified period of time, a cross-default to certain material
indebtedness, the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, monetary judgment defaults
of a specified amount, invalidity of any loan documentation, a change of control of the Company, and ERISA defaults
resulting in liability of a specified amount. In the event of a default by us (beyond any applicable grace or cure period, if
any), the administrative agent may and, at the direction of the requisite number of lenders, shall declare all amounts
owing under the ABL Facility immediately due and payable, terminate such lenders’ commitments to make loans under
the ABL Facility and/or exercise any and all remedies and other rights under the ABL Facility. For certain defaults related
to insolvency and receivership, the commitments of the lenders will be automatically terminated and all outstanding loans
and other amounts will become immediately due and payable.
As of December 31, 2016, we were in compliance with the ABL Facility liquidity requirements and, therefore, the
springing financial covenant requiring a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 was not applicable.
As of December 31, 2016, no loans were drawn under the ABL Facility and we had total availability of $333.0
million as a result of borrowing base limitations. As of December 31, 2016, the principal amount of letter of credit
obligations totaled $106.0 million, thereby further reducing available borrowing capacity on our ABL Facility to $227.0
million.
As of December 31, 2015, no loans were drawn under the ABL Facility and we had total availability of $366.0
million as a result of borrowing base limitations. As of December 31, 2015, the principal amount of letter of credit
obligations totaled $186.3 million and commodity hedge obligations totaled $0.5 million, thereby further reducing available
borrowing capacity to $179.2 million.
Letters of Credit
We issued standby letters of credit with certain financial institutions in order to support business obligations
including, but not limited to, workers compensation and environmental obligations. As of December 31, 2016 and
December 31, 2015, these letter of credit obligations totaled $106.0 million and $186.3 million, respectively.
Debt Extinguishments/Restructurings
1.5 Lien Notes Exchange
On March 2, 2016, we entered into an indenture among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and U.S.
Bank National Association, as trustee and notes collateral agent, relating to our issuance of $218.5 million aggregate
principal amount of 8.00% 1.5 Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (the “1.5 Lien Notes”). The 1.5 Lien Notes were
issued in exchange offers for certain of our existing senior notes.
We accounted for the 1.5 Lien Notes exchange as a TDR. For an exchange classified as TDR, if the future
undiscounted cash flows of the newly issued debt are less than the net carrying value of the original debt, the carrying
value of the newly issued debt is adjusted to the future undiscounted cash flow amount, a gain is recorded for the
difference and no future interest expense is recorded. All future interest payments on the newly issued debt reduce the
carrying value. Accordingly, we recognized a gain of $174.3 million in the Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt
in the Statements of Consolidated Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. As a result, our reported interest
expense will be less than the contractual interest payments throughout the term of the 1.5 Lien Notes. Debt issuance
costs incurred of $5.2 million related to the notes exchange were expensed and were included in the Gain on
extinguishment/restructuring of debt in the Statements of Consolidated Operations for the year ended December 31,
2016. As of December 31, 2016, $17.5 million of the undiscounted interest is recorded as current and classified as Other
current liabilities in the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position.
106
The following is a summary of the debt exchanged for our $218.5 million 1.5 Lien Notes:
($ In Millions)
Debt
Extinguished
1.5 Lien
Amount
Issued
Carrying
Value1
Gain on
Restructuring2
6.9
$544.2 Million 7.75% 2020 Second Lien Notes $
114.1 $
57.0 $
77.5 $
$500 Million 3.95% 2018 Senior Notes
$400 Million 5.90% 2020 Senior Notes
$500 Million 4.80% 2020 Senior Notes
$700 Million 4.875% 2021 Senior Notes
$800 Million 6.25% 2040 Senior Notes
17.6
65.1
44.7
76.3
194.4
512.2 $
11.4
26.0
17.9
30.5
75.7
218.5 $
15.5
35.4
24.4
41.5
103.0
297.3 $
$
1.8
28.3
19.5
33.3
84.5
174.3
1 Includes undiscounted interest payments
2 Net of amounts expensed for unamortized original issue discount and deferred origination fees
Second Lien Notes Exchange
On March 30, 2015, we also entered into an indenture among the Company, the guarantors and U.S. Bank
National Association, as trustee and notes collateral agent, relating to our issuance of $544.2 million aggregate principal
amount of 7.75% second lien senior secured notes due 2020 (the "Second Lien Notes"). The Second Lien Notes were
issued in exchange offers for certain of our existing senior notes.
The following is a summary of the debt exchanged for our $544.2 million Second Lien Notes:
$400 Million 5.90% 2020 Senior Notes
$500 Million 4.80% 2020 Senior Notes
$700 Million 4.875% 2021 Senior Notes
$800 Million 6.25% 2040 Senior Notes
($ In Millions)
Debt
Extinguished
Second Lien
Notes Amount
Issued
Carrying
Value1
Gain on
Restructuring2
$
$
67.0 $
57.5 $
42.0 $
137.8
208.5
261.3
674.6 $
112.9
170.3
203.5
82.4
124.3
148.5
544.2 $
397.2 $
24.5
54.6
83.1
107.3
269.5
1 Includes unamortized discounts
2 Net of amounts expensed for unamortized original issue discount and deferred origination fees
Debt-for-Equity Exchanges
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we entered into a series of privately negotiated exchange agreements
whereby we issued an aggregate of 8.2 million common shares in exchange for $10.0 million aggregate principal amount
of our 3.95% senior notes due 2018, $20.1 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.80% senior notes due 2020 and
$26.8 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.875% senior notes due 2021. There were no exchanges that represented
more than 1% of our outstanding common shares during any quarter. Accordingly, we recognized a gain of $11.3 million in
Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt in the Statements of Consolidated Operations for the year ended
December 31, 2016.
Other Debt Redemptions
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we purchased with cash $5.0 million of our outstanding 4.80% senior
notes, which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of $0.6 million.
107
During the year ended December 31, 2015, we purchased with cash $168.8 million of outstanding 3.95% senior
notes, $69.0 million of outstanding 4.875% senior notes, $45.9 million of outstanding 6.25% senior notes, $45.6 million
of outstanding 4.80% senior notes, and $37.3 million of outstanding 5.90% senior notes, which resulted in a gain on the
extinguishment of debt of $137.1 million. In addition, during 2015, we replaced the revolving credit agreement with our
ABL Facility, which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of $13.7 million.
Debt Maturities
The following represents a summary of our maturities of debt instruments, excluding borrowings on the ABL
Facility, based on the principal amounts outstanding at December 31, 2016:
(In Millions)
Maturities of Debt
—
$
—
—
1,651.0
309.4
298.4
2,258.8
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022 and thereafter
Total maturities of debt
$
108
NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following represents the assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value at December 31,
2016 and 2015:
(In Millions)
December 31, 2016
Quoted Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical Assets/
Liabilities
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
$
$
$
$
177.0 $
—
177.0 $
— $
— $
— $
1.5
1.5 $
— $
— $
— $
31.6
31.6 $
0.5 $
0.5 $
177.0
33.1
210.1
0.5
0.5
(In Millions)
December 31, 2015
Quoted Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
$
$
$
$
30.0 $
—
30.0 $
— $
— $
— $
—
— $
0.6 $
0.6 $
— $
7.8
7.8 $
3.4 $
3.4 $
30.0
7.8
37.8
4.0
4.0
Description
Assets:
Cash equivalents
Derivative assets
Total
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities
Total
Description
Assets:
Cash equivalents
Derivative assets
Total
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities
Total
109
Financial assets classified in Level 1 as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, include money market
funds, which are included in Cash and cash equivalents. The valuation of these instruments is based upon unadjusted
quoted prices for identical assets in active markets.
The valuation of financial assets and liabilities classified in Level 2 is determined using a market approach
based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or other inputs that are observable. At
December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, such derivative financial instruments included our commodity hedge
contracts.
The derivative financial assets classified within Level 3 at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 primarily
relate to a freestanding derivative instrument related to certain supply agreements with one of our U.S. Iron Ore
customers. The agreements include provisions for supplemental revenue or refunds based on the customer’s annual
steel pricing at the time the product is consumed in the customer’s blast furnaces. We account for this provision as a
derivative instrument at the time of sale and adjust this provision to fair value as an adjustment to Product revenues each
reporting period until the product is consumed and the amounts are settled. The fair value of the instrument is determined
using a market approach based on an estimate of the annual realized price of hot-rolled coil at the steelmaker’s facilities,
and takes into consideration current market conditions and nonperformance risk.
The Level 3 derivative assets and liabilities also consisted of derivatives related to certain provisional pricing
arrangements with our U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore customers at December 31, 2016 and December 31,
2015. These provisional pricing arrangements specify provisional price calculations, where the pricing mechanisms
generally are based on market pricing, with the final revenue rate to be based on market inputs at a specified point in
time in the future, per the terms of the supply agreements. The difference between the estimated final revenue at the
date of sale and the estimated final revenue rate is characterized as a derivative and is required to be accounted for
separately once the revenue has been recognized. The derivative instrument is adjusted to fair value through Product
revenues each reporting period based upon current market data and forward-looking estimates provided by management
until the final revenue rate is determined.
The following table illustrates information about quantitative inputs and assumptions for the derivative assets
and derivative liabilities categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:
Qualitative/Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
($ in millions)
Provisional Pricing
Arrangements
Customer Supply
Agreement
Fair Value at
December 31,
2016
$
$
$
10.3
0.5
21.3
Balance
Sheet
Location
Other current
assets
Other current
liabilities
Other current
assets
Valuation
Technique
Market
Approach
Unobservable Input
Management's
Estimate of Platts
62% Price
Range or Point
Estimate
(Weighted
Average)
$80
Market
Approach
Hot-Rolled Coil
Estimate
$505 - $620
($555)
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the reporting entity’s provisional
pricing arrangements are management’s estimates of Platts 62% Price based upon current market data, index pricing,
and the customer's average annual steel pricing for hot rolled coil, each of which include forward-looking estimates
determined by management. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs would result in a significantly higher
or lower fair value measurement, respectively.
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the reporting entity’s customer supply
agreement is the future hot-rolled coil price that is estimated based on current market data, analysts' projections,
projections provided by the customer and forward-looking estimates determined by management. Significant increases
or decreases in this input would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement, respectively.
We recognize any transfers between levels as of the beginning of the reporting period, including both transfers
into and out of levels. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the years
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. The following tables represent a reconciliation of the changes in fair value of
financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the
years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
110
(In Millions)
Derivative Assets
(Level 3)
Derivative Liabilities
(Level 3)
Year Ended
December 31,
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Beginning balance - January 1
$
7.8 $
63.2 $
(3.4) $
(9.5)
Total gains (losses)
Included in earnings
Settlements
Transfers into Level 3
Transfers out of Level 3
Ending balance - December 31
Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings
attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) on
assets still held at the reporting date
$
$
103.8
(80.0)
—
—
31.6 $
35.1
(90.5)
—
—
7.8 $
(14.1)
17.0
—
—
(0.5) $
(61.0)
67.1
—
—
(3.4)
23.7 $
29.1 $
(0.5) $
(3.4)
Gains and losses included in earnings are reported in Product revenues in the Statements of Consolidated
Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
The carrying amount for certain financial instruments (e.g. Accounts receivable, net, Accounts payable and
Accrued expenses) approximate fair value and, therefore, have been excluded from the table below. A summary of the
carrying amount and fair value of other financial instruments at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
Long-term debt:
Secured Notes
Senior First Lien Notes—$540 million
1.5 Senior Lien Notes—$218 million
Senior Second Lien Notes—$544.2 million
Unsecured Notes
Senior Notes—$400 million
Senior Notes—$1.3 billion
Senior Notes—$700 million
Senior Notes—$500 million
ABL Facility
Fair Value Adjustment to Interest Rate Hedge
Total long-term debt
(In Millions)
December 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
Classification
Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
Level 1
Level 2
Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
Level 2
Level 2
$
506.3 $
284.2
339.1
224.5
528.4
308.2
—
—
1.9
595.0 $
229.5
439.7
219.6
455.8
283.1
—
—
1.9
497.4 $
—
403.2
288.9
787.9
410.6
309.1
—
2.3
$ 2,192.6 $ 2,224.6 $ 2,699.4 $
414.5
—
134.7
52.8
137.4
69.4
87.1
—
2.3
898.2
The fair value of long-term debt was determined using quoted market prices or discounted cash flows based
upon current borrowing rates.
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
There were no financial and non-financial assets and liabilities that were measured on a non-recurring fair value
basis at December 31, 2016 and 2015.
111
NOTE 7 - PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
We offer defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution pension plans and other postretirement benefit
plans, primarily consisting of retiree healthcare benefits, to most employees in the U.S. as part of a total compensation
and benefits program. We do not have employee retirement benefit obligations at our Asia Pacific Iron Ore operations.
The defined benefit pension plans largely are noncontributory and benefits generally are based on employees’ years of
service and average earnings for a defined period prior to retirement or a minimum formula.
Approximately 80.0% of our total U.S. Iron Ore hourly workforce is represented by the USW.
We offer retiree medical coverage to hourly retirees of our USW-represented mines. The 2015 USW agreement
set fixed monthly medical premiums for participants who retired prior to January 1, 2015. These fixed premiums will
expire on December 31, 2018 and revert to increasing premiums based a cost-sharing formula. The agreements also
provide for an OPEB cap that limits the amount of contributions that we have to make toward retiree medical insurance
coverage for each retiree and spouse of a retiree per calendar year who retired on or after January 1, 2015. The amount
of the annual OPEB cap is based upon the gross plan costs we incurred in 2014. The OPEB cap applies to employees
who retired on or after January 1, 2015 and does not apply to surviving spouses.
The 2015 USW agreement also eliminates retiree medical coverage for USW-represented employees hired after
September 1, 2016. In lieu of retiree medical coverage, USW-represented employees hired after September 1, 2016
will receive a 401(k) contribution of $0.50 per hour worked to a restricted Retiree Health Care Account.
In addition, we currently provide various levels of retirement health care and OPEB to some full-time employees
who meet certain length of service and age requirements (a portion of which is pursuant to collective bargaining
agreements). Most plans require retiree contributions and have deductibles, co-pay requirements and benefit limits.
Most bargaining unit plans require retiree contributions and co-pays for major medical and prescription drug coverage.
There is a cap on our cost for medical coverage under the salaried plans. The annual limit applies to each covered
participant and equals $7,000 for coverage prior to age 65, with the retiree’s participation adjusted based on the age at
which the retiree’s benefits commence. Beginning in 2015, we changed the delivery of the post-65 salaried retiree
medical benefit program, including salaried retirees from our Northshore operation, from an employer sponsored plan
to the combination of an employer subsidy plan and an individual supplemental Medicare insurance plan purchased
through a Medicare exchange. This allows the program to take full advantage of available government subsidies and
more efficient pricing in the Medicare market. For participants at our Northshore operation, the annual limit ranges from
$4,020 to $4,500 for coverage prior to age 65. Covered participants pay an amount for coverage equal to the excess
of (i) the average cost of coverage for all covered participants, over (ii) the participant’s individual limit, but in no event
will the participant’s cost be less than 15.0% of the average cost of coverage for all covered participants. For Northshore
participants, the minimum participant cost is a fixed dollar amount. We do not provide OPEB for most salaried employees
hired after January 1, 1993. Retiree healthcare coverage is provided through programs administered by insurance
companies whose charges are based on benefits paid.
The Pinnacle and Oak Grove mines were sold in December 2015, and the liabilities representing vested salaried
pension benefits at the time of the sale remained with Cliffs. The sale triggered a curtailment event for the Salaried
Pension Plan. Liabilities for other postretirement benefits were transferred as part of the sale, and associated adjustments
were made to the Accumulated other comprehensive loss balances as they pertained to Pinnacle and Oak Grove
participants in the Hourly OPEB plan. Accordingly, all amounts shown below include retained obligations of vested
employees of the North American Coal mines. Further, all disclosures presented include the annual expense,
contributions and obligations associated with the retained vested benefits of these participants.
The following table summarizes the annual expense (income) recognized related to the retirement plans for
2016, 2015 and 2014:
Defined benefit pension plans
Defined contribution pension plans
Other postretirement benefits
Total
2016
(In Millions)
2015
2014
$
$
16.5 $
2.8
(4.0)
15.3 $
23.9 $
3.6
4.4
31.9 $
26.2
4.4
(2.5)
28.1
112
Obligations and Funded Status
The following tables and information provide additional disclosures for the years ending December 31, 2016 and
2015:
Change in benefit obligations:
Benefit obligations — beginning of year
Service cost (excluding expenses)
Interest cost
Plan amendments
Actuarial (gain) loss
Benefits paid
Participant contributions
Federal subsidy on benefits paid
Curtailment gain
Benefit obligations — end of year
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets — beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets
Participant contributions
Employer contributions
Asset transfers
Benefits paid
Fair value of plan assets — end of year
Funded status at December 31:
Fair value of plan assets
Benefit obligations
Funded status (plan assets less benefit obligations)
Amount recognized at December 31
Amounts recognized in Statements of Financial Position:
Noncurrent assets
Current liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities
Total amount recognized
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive
loss:
Net actuarial loss
Prior service cost (credit)
Net amount recognized
The estimated amounts that will be amortized from
accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic
benefit cost in 2017:
Net actuarial loss
Prior service cost (credit)
Net amount recognized
113
(In Millions)
Pension Benefits
2015
2016
Other Benefits
2015
2016
910.8 $
17.6
30.3
5.7
38.1
(70.9)
—
—
—
931.6 $
700.6 $
54.8
—
1.2
0.1
(70.9)
685.8 $
998.0 $
22.7
37.7
—
(67.7)
(78.7)
—
—
(1.2)
910.8 $
749.8 $
(6.4)
—
35.7
0.2
(78.7)
700.6 $
266.0 $
1.7
9.1
9.8
(7.2)
(21.3)
6.0
0.5
—
264.6 $
250.6 $
16.0
0.5
1.7
—
(15.8)
253.0 $
295.8
1.9
11.5
—
(27.0)
(20.6)
4.0
0.4
—
266.0
269.3
(3.9)
0.4
1.3
—
(16.5)
250.6
685.8 $
(931.6)
(245.8) $
(245.8) $
700.6 $
(910.8)
(210.2) $
(210.2) $
253.0 $
(264.6)
(11.6) $
(11.6) $
250.6
(266.0)
(15.4)
(15.4)
— $
(0.1)
(245.7)
(245.8) $
— $
(0.5)
(209.7)
(210.2) $
27.3 $
(4.1)
(34.8)
(11.6) $
—
(4.1)
(11.3)
(15.4)
315.9 $
11.0
326.9 $
290.9 $
7.5
298.4 $
87.0 $
(26.9)
60.1 $
91.5
(39.5)
52.0
21.1
2.6
23.7
$
$
5.0
(3.0)
2.0
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(In Millions)
2016
Fair value of plan assets
Benefit obligation
Funded status
Fair value of plan assets
Benefit obligation
Funded status
Pension Plans
Mining
SERP
Other Benefits
Total
Salaried Hourly
Total
Salaried Hourly
$ 242.9 $ 436.9 $
(351.9)
(565.6)
(10.0)
$ (109.0) $ (128.7) $
(4.0) $
(4.1)
(4.1) $ (245.8) $ (37.6) $
(37.6)
6.0 $
— $
685.8 $
(931.6)
— $ 253.0 $ 253.0
(264.6)
(11.6)
26.0 $
(227.0)
Pension Plans
Other Benefits
2015
Salaried
$ 258.3 $ 436.7 $
Hourly
Mining
(340.0)
(558.6)
$ (81.7) $ (121.9) $
SERP
Total
Salaried
Hourly
Total
— $
700.6 $
— $ 250.6 $ 250.6
(910.8)
(3.6)
(3.6) $ (210.2) $ (38.2) $
(38.2)
(227.8)
22.8 $
(266.0)
(15.4)
5.6 $
(8.6)
(3.0) $
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $922.0 million and $898.9 million
at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in the accumulated benefit obligation primarily is a result
of a decrease in the discount rates.
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
(In Millions)
Pension Benefits
2015
2014
2016
Other Benefits
2015
2014
2016
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization:
Prior service costs (credits)
Net actuarial loss
Curtailments and settlements
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)
Curtailment effects
Current year actuarial (gain)/loss
Amortization of net loss
Current year prior service (credit) cost
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit
Total recognized in other comprehensive income
(loss)
Total recognized in net periodic cost and other
comprehensive income (loss)
Additional Information
$
$
$
$
17.6 $
30.3
(54.7)
22.7 $
37.7
(59.8)
26.1 $
40.3
1.7 $
9.1
(58.1)
(17.1)
6.4 $
13.4
(18.3)
1.8
11.9
(17.1)
2.2
21.1
—
16.5 $
—
37.8
(21.1)
5.7
(2.2)
2.3
20.8
0.2
23.9 $
(1.2)
(0.7)
(21.0)
—
(2.3)
2.5
14.0
1.4
26.2 $
—
109.7
(15.4)
—
(2.5)
(3.7)
6.0
—
(4.0) $
—
(8.1)
(6.0)
9.8
3.7
(3.7)
6.6
—
(3.6)
4.5
—
4.4 $
(2.5)
—
0.2
(6.6)
—
3.7
—
22.2
(4.5)
(0.9)
3.6
20.2 $
(25.2) $
91.8 $
(0.6) $
(2.7) $
20.4
36.7 $
(1.3) $ 118.0 $
(4.6) $
1.7 $
17.9
(In Millions)
Effect of change in mine ownership & noncontrolling interest
Actual return on plan assets
114
Pension Benefits
2015
Other Benefits
2015
2014
2014
2016
$ 14.2 $ 48.4 $ 51.2 $ 5.9 $ 5.5 $ 5.9
31.9
2016
(6.4)
(3.9)
59.1
54.8
16.0
Assumptions
The discount rate for determining PBO is determined individually for each plan as noted in the assumption chart
below. The discount rates are determined by matching the projected cash flows used to determine the PBO and APBO
to a projected yield curve of 696 Aa graded bonds in the 40th to 90th percentiles. These bonds are either noncallable or
callable with make-whole provisions. The decreases in discount rates due to market conditions resulted in increases of
$22.0 million and $8.6 million for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans, respectively, to the plans PBO.
Effective January 1, 2016, we changed the approach used to calculate the service and interest components of
net periodic benefit cost. Previously, we calculated the service and interest components utilizing a single weighted-
average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the PBO. We have elected an alternative approach
that utilizes a full yield curve approach in the estimation of these components by applying the specific spot rates along
the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to their underlying projected cash flows. The change
resulted in a decrease to our net periodic benefit cost of $8.2 million and $1.8 million for our pension plans and OPEB
plans, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2016.
On December 31, 2016, the assumed mortality improvement projection was changed from generational scale
MP-2015 to generational scale MP-2016. The healthy mortality assumption remains the RP-2014 mortality tables with
blue collar adjustments for the Iron Hourly and Hourly PRW plans, with white collar adjustments for the SERP and Salaried
PRW Plan, and without collar adjustments for the Salaried and Ore Mining. The adoption of the new projection scale
resulted in decreases to our PBO totaling approximately $13.1 million or 1.4% for the pension plans and $4.9 million or
1.8% for the OPEB plans.
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 were:
Discount rate
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
Salaried Pension Plan
Ore Mining Pension Plan
SERP
Hourly OPEB Plan
Salaried OPEB Plan
Salaried rate of compensation increase
Hourly rate of compensation increase
Pension Benefits
2015
2016
Other Benefits
2016
2015
4.02 %
4.27 %
3.92
4.04
3.90
N/A
N/A
3.00
2.00
4.12
4.28
4.22
N/A
N/A
3.00
2.00
%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.02
3.99
3.00
N/A
%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.32
4.22
3.00
N/A
115
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net benefit cost for the years 2016, 2015 and 2014 were:
Obligation Discount Rate
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
Salaried Pension Plan
Ore Mining Pension Plan
SERP
Hourly OPEB Plan
Salaried OPEB Plan
Service Cost Discount Rate
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
Salaried Pension Plan
Ore Mining Pension Plan
SERP
Hourly OPEB Plan
Salaried OPEB Plan
Interest Cost Discount Rate
Iron Hourly Pension Plan
Salaried Pension Plan
Ore Mining Pension Plan
SERP
Hourly OPEB Plan
Salaried OPEB Plan
Expected return on plan assets
Salaried rate of compensation increase
Hourly rate of compensation increase
Pension Benefits
2015
2016
2014
2016
Other Benefits
2015
2014
4.27 %
4.13
4.28
4.01
N/A
N/A
4.66
4.14
4.60
3.87
N/A
N/A
3.46
3.21
3.48
3.30
N/A
N/A
8.25
3.00
2.00
3.83 %
4.57 %
N/A %
N/A %
N/A %
3.83
3.83
3.83
N/A
N/A
3.83
3.83
3.83
3.83
N/A
N/A
3.83
3.83
3.83
3.83
N/A
N/A
8.25
3.00
2.50
4.57
4.57
4.57
N/A
N/A
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
N/A
N/A
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
N/A
N/A
8.25
4.00
3.00
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.32
4.22
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.56
4.63
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.48
3.31
7.00
3.00
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.83
3.83
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.83
3.83
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.83
3.83
7.00
3.00
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.57
4.57
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.57
4.57
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.57
4.57
7.00
4.00
N/A
Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31 were:
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year
Ultimate health care cost trend rate
Year that the ultimate rate is reached
2016
6.50 %
5.00
2023
2015
6.75 %
5.00
2023
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans.
A change of one percentage point in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
Effect on total of service and interest cost
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
Plan Assets
(In Millions)
Increase Decrease
(1.0)
$
(19.6)
1.3 $
23.4
Our financial objectives with respect to our pension and VEBA plan assets are to fully fund the actuarial accrued
liability for each of the plans, to maximize investment returns within reasonable and prudent levels of risk, and to maintain
sufficient liquidity to meet benefit obligations on a timely basis.
116
Our investment objective is to outperform the expected ROA assumption used in the plans’ actuarial reports over
the life of the plans. The expected ROA takes into account historical returns and estimated future long-term returns
based on capital market assumptions applied to the asset allocation strategy. The expected return is net of investment
expenses paid by the plans. In addition, investment performance is monitored on a quarterly basis by benchmarking to
various indices and metrics for the one-, three- and five-year periods.
The asset allocation strategy is determined through a detailed analysis of assets and liabilities by plan, which
defines the overall risk that is acceptable with regard to the expected level and variability of portfolio returns, surplus
(assets compared to liabilities), contributions and pension expense.
The asset allocation review process involves simulating capital market behaviors including global asset class
performance, inflation and interest rates in order to evaluate various asset allocation scenarios and determine the asset
mix with the highest likelihood of meeting financial objectives. The process includes factoring in the current funded status
and likely future funded status levels of the plans by taking into account expected growth or decline in the contributions
over time.
The asset allocation strategy varies by plan. The following table reflects the actual asset allocations for pension
and VEBA plan assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, as well as the 2017 weighted average target asset allocations
as of December 31, 2016. Equity investments include securities in large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap companies located
in the U.S. and worldwide. Fixed income investments primarily include corporate bonds and government debt securities.
Alternative investments include hedge funds, private equity, structured credit and real estate.
Pension Assets
VEBA Assets
Asset Category
Equity securities
Fixed income
Hedge funds
Private equity
Structured credit
Real estate
Cash
Total
2017
Target
Allocation
Percentage of
Plan Assets at
December 31,
2015
44.0%
27.7%
5.8%
4.7%
8.9%
8.2%
0.7%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
2016
43.2%
26.4%
5.9%
5.3%
9.3%
9.0%
0.9%
45.0%
28.0%
5.0%
7.0%
7.5%
7.5%
—%
2017
Target
Allocation
Percentage of
Plan Assets at
December 31,
2015
2016
8.0%
80.1%
4.2%
2.6%
2.1%
3.0%
—%
8.8%
78.2%
4.5%
2.2%
2.3%
4.0%
—%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
8.4%
78.3%
4.4%
1.7%
2.7%
4.4%
0.1%
117
Pension
The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 by asset category are as follows:
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
(In Millions)
December 31, 2016
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
$
$
$
$
144.7 $
39.9
111.8
157.5
—
—
—
—
5.8
459.7 $
— $
—
—
23.7
—
—
—
—
—
23.7 $
— $ 144.7
39.9
—
111.8
—
181.2
—
40.6
40.6
36.1
36.1
63.8
63.8
61.9
61.9
5.8
—
202.4 $ 685.8
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
(In Millions)
December 31, 2015
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
150.5 $
40.6
116.8
166.3
—
—
—
—
5.1
479.3 $
— $
—
—
27.9
—
—
—
—
—
27.9 $
— $ 150.5
40.6
—
116.8
—
194.2
—
40.7
40.7
33.1
33.1
62.1
62.1
57.5
57.5
5.1
—
193.4 $ 700.6
Asset Category
Equity securities:
U.S. large-cap
U.S. small/mid-cap
International
Fixed income
Hedge funds
Private equity
Structured credit
Real estate
Cash
Total
Asset Category
Equity securities:
U.S. large-cap
U.S. small/mid-cap
International
Fixed income
Hedge funds
Private equity
Structured credit
Real estate
Cash
Total
Following is a description of the inputs and valuation methodologies used to measure the fair value of our plan
assets.
Equity Securities
Equity securities classified as Level 1 investments include U.S. large-, small- and mid-cap investments and
international equity. These investments are comprised of securities listed on an exchange, market or automated quotation
system for which quotations are readily available. The valuation of these securities is determined using a market approach,
and is based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets.
118
Fixed Income
Fixed income securities classified as Level 1 investments include bonds and government debt securities. These
investments are comprised of securities listed on an exchange, market or automated quotation system for which quotations
are readily available. The valuation of these securities is determined using a market approach, and is based upon
unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. Also included in Fixed Income is a portfolio of U.S.
Treasury STRIPS, which are zero-coupon bearing fixed income securities backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
government. The securities sell at a discount to par because there are no incremental coupon payments. STRIPS are
not issued directly by the Treasury, but rather are created by a financial institution, government securities broker or
government securities dealer. Liquidity on the issue varies depending on various market conditions; however, in general
the STRIPS market is slightly less liquid than that of the U.S. Treasury Bond market. The STRIPS are priced daily through
a bond pricing vendor and are classified as Level 2.
Hedge Funds
Hedge funds are alternative investments comprised of direct or indirect investment in offshore hedge funds with
an investment objective to achieve an attractive risk-adjusted return with moderate volatility and moderate directional
market exposure over a full market cycle. The valuation techniques used to measure fair value attempt to maximize the
use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Considerable judgment is required to interpret
the factors used to develop estimates of fair value. Valuations of the underlying investment funds are obtained and
reviewed. The securities that are valued by the funds are interests in the investment funds and not the underlying holdings
of such investment funds. Thus, the inputs used to value the investments in each of the underlying funds may differ from
the inputs used to value the underlying holdings of such funds. During the fourth quarter of 2016, a total redemption
request for a tender of 100% of the position was executed and is to be reinvested into another fund within this asset
category. The tender was effective as of December 31, 2016, with the funds targeted for distribution and reinvestment
during the first quarter of 2017.
In determining the fair value of a security, the fund managers may consider any information that is deemed
relevant, which may include one or more of the following factors regarding the portfolio security, if appropriate: type of
security or asset; cost at the date of purchase; size of holding; last trade price; most recent valuation; fundamental
analytical data relating to the investment in the security; nature and duration of any restriction on the disposition of the
security; evaluation of the factors that influence the market in which the security is purchased or sold; financial statements
of the issuer; discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; special
reports prepared by analysts; information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; existence of merger
proposals or tender offers affecting the security; price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or
compatible companies and other relevant matters; changes in interest rates; observations from financial institutions;
domestic or foreign government actions or pronouncements; other recent events; existence of shelf registration for
restricted securities; existence of any undertaking to register the security; and other acceptable methods of valuing
portfolio securities.
Private Equity Funds
Private equity funds are alternative investments that represent direct or indirect investments in partnerships,
venture funds or a diversified pool of private investment vehicles (fund of funds).
Investment commitments are made in private equity funds based on an asset allocation strategy, and capital
calls are made over the life of the funds to fund the commitments. As of December 31, 2016, remaining commitments
total $37.9 million for both our pension and other benefits. Committed amounts are funded from plan assets when capital
calls are made. Investment commitments are not pre-funded in reserve accounts.
The valuation of investments in private equity funds initially is performed by the underlying fund managers. In
determining the fair value, the fund managers may consider any information that is deemed relevant, which may include:
type of security or asset; cost at the date of purchase; size of holding; last trade price; most recent valuation; fundamental
analytical data relating to the investment in the security; nature and duration of any restriction on the disposition of the
security; evaluation of the factors that influence the market in which the security is purchased or sold; financial statements
of the issuer; discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; special
reports prepared by analysts; information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; existence of merger
proposals or tender offers affecting the security; price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or
compatible companies and other relevant matters; changes in interest rates; observations from financial institutions;
domestic or foreign government actions or pronouncements; other recent events; existence of shelf registration for
restricted securities; existence of any undertaking to register the security; and other acceptable methods of valuing
portfolio securities.
119
The valuations are obtained from the underlying fund managers, and the valuation methodology and process is
reviewed for consistent application and adherence to policies. Considerable judgment is required to interpret the factors
used to develop estimates of fair value.
Private equity investments are valued quarterly and recorded on a one-quarter lag. For alternative investment
values reported on a lag, current market information is reviewed for any material changes in values at the reporting date.
Capital distributions for the funds do not occur on a regular frequency. Liquidation of these investments would require
sale of the partnership interest.
Structured Credit
Structured credit investments are alternative investments comprised of collateralized debt obligations and other
structured credit investments that are priced based on valuations provided by independent, third-party pricing agents, if
available. Such values generally reflect the last reported sales price if the security is actively traded. The third-party
pricing agents may also value structured credit investments at an evaluated bid price by employing methodologies that
utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations, or other methodologies designed to identify the market
value of such securities. Such methodologies generally consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call
features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving at valuations. Securities listed on a securities
exchange, market or automated quotation system for which quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted
sale price on the primary exchange or market on which they are traded. Debt obligations with remaining maturities of
60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Structured credit investments are valued monthly and recorded on a one-month lag. For alternative investment
values reported on a lag, current market information is reviewed for any material changes in values at the reporting date.
Historically, redemption requests have been considered quarterly, subject to notice of 90 days, although the advisor is
currently only requiring notice of 65 days.
Real Estate
The real estate portfolio for the pension plans is an alternative investment primarily comprised of two funds with
strategic categories of real estate investments. All real estate holdings are appraised externally at least annually, and
appraisals are conducted by reputable, independent appraisal firms that are members of the Appraisal Institute. All
external appraisals are performed in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices. The
property valuations and assumptions of each property are reviewed quarterly by the investment advisor and values are
adjusted if there has been a significant change in circumstances relating to the property since the last external appraisal.
The valuation methodology utilized in determining the fair value is consistent with the best practices prevailing within the
real estate appraisal and real estate investment management industries, including the Real Estate Information Standards,
and standards promulgated by the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries, the National Association of
Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries, and the National Association of Real Estate Managers. In addition, the investment
advisor may cause additional appraisals to be performed. Two of the funds’ fair values are updated monthly, and there
is no lag in reported values. Redemption requests for these two funds are considered on a quarterly basis, subject to
notice of 45 days. During the fourth quarter of 2016, a notice of full redemption request for a tender of 100% of one fund
position was executed and is to be invested into the other fund. The redemption was included in the fourth quarter queue
and the funds are targeted for distribution and reinvestment during the first quarter of 2017.
The real estate fund of funds investment for the Empire, Tilden, Hibbing and United Taconite VEBA plans invests
in pooled investment vehicles that in turn invest in commercial real estate properties. Valuations are performed quarterly
and financial statements are prepared on a semi-annual basis, with annual audited statements. Asset values for this
fund are reported with a one-quarter lag and current market information is reviewed for any material changes in values
at the reporting date. In most cases, values are based on valuations reported by underlying fund managers or other
independent third-party sources, but the fund has discretion to use other valuation methods, subject to compliance with
ERISA. Valuations are typically estimates and subject to upward or downward revision based on each underlying fund’s
annual audit. Withdrawals are permitted on the last business day of each quarter subject to a 65-day prior written notice.
120
The following represents the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
on changes in plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
Beginning balance — January 1, 2016
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at
the reporting date
Relating to assets sold during
the period
Purchases
Sales
Ending balance — December 31, 2016
$
(In Millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2016
Private Equity
Funds
Structured
Credit Fund
Real
Estate
Total
33.1 $
62.1 $
57.5 $ 193.4
Hedge Funds
$
40.7 $
(0.1)
(2.7)
10.0
5.1
12.3
—
—
—
40.6 $
3.7
8.0
(6.0)
36.1 $
(0.3)
—
(8.0)
63.8 $
(0.1)
3.3
—
8.0
(14.6)
(0.6)
61.9 $ 202.4
(In Millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2015
Hedge Funds
Private Equity
Funds
Structured
Credit Fund
Real
Estate
Total
Beginning balance — January 1, 2015
$
41.5 $
31.2 $
65.4 $
50.0 $ 188.1
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at
the reporting date
Relating to assets sold during
the period
Purchases
Sales
(0.8)
—
—
—
Ending balance — December 31, 2015
$
40.7 $
VEBA
1.5
2.5
5.7
(7.8)
33.1 $
(3.3)
—
—
—
8.1
—
—
5.5
2.5
5.7
(0.6)
(8.4)
62.1 $
57.5 $ 193.4
Assets for other benefits include VEBA trusts pursuant to bargaining agreements that are available to fund retired
employees’ life insurance obligations and medical benefits. The fair values of our other benefit plan assets at
December 31, 2016 and 2015 by asset category are as follows:
Asset Category
Equity securities:
U.S. large-cap
U.S. small/mid-cap
International
Fixed income
Hedge funds
Private equity
Structured credit
Real estate
Cash
Total
(In Millions)
December 31, 2016
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
$
$
10.6 $
2.7
8.1
162.0
—
—
—
—
0.2
183.6 $
121
— $
—
—
35.9
—
—
—
—
—
35.9 $
— $
—
—
—
11.2
4.3
6.9
11.1
—
33.5 $
10.6
2.7
8.1
197.9
11.2
4.3
6.9
11.1
0.2
253.0
(In Millions)
December 31, 2015
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
$
$
11.1 $
— $
— $
2.8
8.2
158.1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
37.9
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
11.2
5.5
5.8
10.0
—
180.2 $
37.9 $
32.5 $
11.1
2.8
8.2
196.0
11.2
5.5
5.8
10.0
—
250.6
Asset Category
Equity securities:
U.S. large-cap
U.S. small/mid-cap
International
Fixed income
Hedge funds
Private equity
Structured credit
Real estate
Cash
Total
Refer to the pension asset discussion above for further information regarding the inputs and valuation
methodologies used to measure the fair value of each respective category of plan assets.
The following represents the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
on changes in plan assets for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
Beginning balance — January 1, 2016
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date
Relating to assets sold during the period
Purchases
Sales
Ending balance — December 31, 2016
Beginning balance — January 1, 2015
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date
Relating to assets sold during the period
Purchases
Sales
Ending balance — December 31, 2015
(In Millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2016
Structured
Private
Credit
Equity
Fund
Funds
Real
Estate
Hedge
Funds
$ 11.2 $
—
—
—
—
$ 11.2 $
5.5 $
(0.3)
0.1
—
(1.0)
4.3 $
Total
5.8 $ 10.0 $ 32.5
1.9
1.1
1.1
0.1
—
—
—
—
—
—
(1.0)
—
6.9 $ 11.1 $ 33.5
(In Millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2015
Structured
Private
Credit
Equity
Fund
Funds
Real
Estate
6.2 $
6.1 $
Hedge
Funds
$ 11.5 $
Total
8.7 $ 32.5
(0.3)
—
—
—
$ 11.2 $
0.3
0.4
0.1
(1.5)
5.5 $
1.0
1.3
(0.3)
0.4
—
—
0.1
—
—
(1.5)
—
—
5.8 $ 10.0 $ 32.5
122
Contributions
Annual contributions to the pension plans are made within income tax deductibility restrictions in accordance
with statutory regulations. In the event of plan termination, the plan sponsors could be required to fund additional shutdown
and early retirement obligations that are not included in the pension obligations. The Company currently has no intention
to shutdown, terminate or withdraw from any of its employee benefit plans.
Company Contributions
2015
2016
2017 (Expected)1
(In Millions)
Pension
Benefits
VEBA
Other Benefits
Direct
Payments
Total
$
35.7 $
— $
3.5 $
1.2
24.5
—
—
1.1
4.1
3.5
1.1
4.1
1 Pursuant to the bargaining agreement, benefits can be paid from VEBA trusts that are at least 70% funded (all VEBA
trusts are over 70% funded at December 31, 2016). Funding obligations have been suspended as Hibbing's, UTAC's,
Tilden's and Empire's share of the value of their respective trust assets have reached 90% of their obligation.
VEBA plans are not subject to minimum regulatory funding requirements. Amounts contributed are pursuant
to bargaining agreements.
Contributions by participants to the other benefit plans were $6.0 million for the year ended December 31,
2016 and $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Estimated Cost for 2017
For 2017, we estimate net periodic benefit cost as follows:
Defined benefit pension plans
Other postretirement benefits
Total
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
(In Millions)
$
$
18.6
(5.3)
13.3
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022-2026
(In Millions)
Pension
Benefits
Gross
Company
Benefits
Other Benefits
Less
Medicare
Subsidy
Net
Company
Payments
$
77.3 $
19.7 $
0.6 $
64.8
63.3
63.0
62.4
308.0
20.0
19.1
18.4
17.6
81.8
0.7
0.8
0.9
0.9
5.2
19.1
19.3
18.3
17.5
16.7
76.6
123
Other Potential Benefit Obligations
While the foregoing reflects our obligation, our total exposure in the event of non-performance is potentially greater.
Following is a summary comparison of the total obligation:
Fair value of plan assets
Benefit obligation
Underfunded status of plan
Additional shutdown and early retirement benefits
NOTE 8 - STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS
(In Millions)
December 31, 2016
Defined
Benefit
Pensions
Other
Benefits
$
$
$
685.8 $
(931.6)
(245.8) $
253.0
(264.6)
(11.6)
22.1 $
2.2
At December 31, 2016, we have outstanding awards under two share-based compensation plans, which are
described below. The compensation cost that has been charged against income for those plans was $14.2 million,
$13.9 million and $21.5 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which primarily was recorded in Selling, general
and administrative expenses in the Statements of Consolidated Operations. The total income tax benefit recognized
in the Statements of Consolidated Operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $7.5 million for 2014.
There was no income tax benefit recognized for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, due to the full valuation
allowance.
Employees’ Plans
The 2015 Equity Plan was approved by our Board of Directors on March 26, 2015 and by our shareholders on
May 19, 2015. The 2015 Equity Plan replaced the 2012 Equity Plan. The maximum number of shares that may be
issued under the 2015 Equity Plan is 12.9 million common shares. No additional grants were issued from the 2012
Amended Equity Plan after the date of approval of the 2015 Equity Plan; however, all awards previously granted under
the 2012 Amended Equity Plan will continue in full force and effect in accordance with the terms of outstanding awards.
During the first quarter of 2016, the Compensation and Organization Committee of the Board of Directors
approved grants under the 2015 Equity Plan of 3.4 million restricted share units to certain officers and employees with
a grant date of February 23, 2016. The restricted share units granted under this award are subject to continued
employment through the vesting date of December 31, 2018.
During the third quarter of 2015, the Compensation Committee approved grants under the 2015 Equity Plan of
1.5 million restricted share units to certain officers and employees with a grant date of September 10, 2015. The
restricted share units granted under this award are subject to continued employment through the vesting date of
December 15, 2017.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Compensation Committee approved grants under the 2012 Equity Plan to
certain officers and employees for the 2015 to 2017 performance period. Shares granted under the awards consisted
of 0.9 million performance shares, 0.9 million restricted share units and 0.4 million stock options.
On February 10, 2014, upon recommendation by the Compensation Committee, our Board of Directors approved
and adopted, subject to the approval of our shareholders at the 2014 Annual Meeting, the 2012 Equity Plan. The
principal reason for amending and restating the 2012 Equity Plan was to increase the number of common shares
available for issuance by 5.0 million common shares. This amended plan was approved by our shareholders at the
2014 Annual Meeting held on July 29, 2014.
124
Subsequent to our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, where shareholders elected six new directors, our
board changed substantially. Such an event constituted a change in control pursuant to our incentive equity plans and
applicable award agreements. As a result, all of the outstanding and unvested equity incentives awarded to participants
prior to October 2013 became vested. Accordingly, this resulted in recognizing $11.7 million of additional equity-based
compensation expense in the accompanying financial statements, representing the remaining unrecognized
compensation expense of the awards. For any equity grants awarded after September 2013, the vesting of all such
grants was accelerated and paid in cash following each participant's qualifying termination of employment associated
with the change in control and as long as the common shares were not substituted with a replacement award. This
liability for additional double-trigger payments for share-based compensation in cash expired on August 6, 2016.
Performance Shares
The outstanding performance share or unit grants vest over a period of three years and are intended to be paid
out in common shares or cash in certain circumstances. Performance is measured on the basis of relative TSR for the
period and measured against the constituents of the S&P Metals and Mining ETF Index at the beginning of the relevant
performance period. The final payouts for the outstanding performance period grants will vary from 0% to 200% of the
original grant depending on whether and to what extent the Company achieves certain objectives and performance
goals as established by the Compensation Committee.
Following is a summary of our performance share award agreements currently outstanding:
Performance
Share
Plan Year
2015
2015
20141
20141
20141
Performance
Shares
Granted
410,105
464,470
188,510
80,560
230,265
Estimated
Forfeitures
157,979
Expected to
Vest
252,126
Grant Date
February 9, 2015
Performance Period
1/1/2015 - 12/31/2017
82,636
188,510
80,560
230,265
381,834
January 12, 2015
1/1/2015 - 12/31/2017
—
July 29, 2014
1/1/2014 - 12/31/2016
—
May 12, 2014
— February 10, 2014
1/1/2014 - 12/31/2016
1/1/2014 - 12/31/2016
1 The performance shares granted in 2014 will have a payout of 0% of the original grant based on the final performance evaluation
versus the performance goals that were established in the grants.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
For the outstanding 400,000 performance-based restricted stock units that were granted on November 17,
2014, the award may be earned and settled based upon certain VWAP performance for the Company’s common shares,
(Threshold VWAP, Target VWAP, or Maximum VWAP) for any period of ninety (90) consecutive calendar days during
a performance period commencing August 7, 2014 and ending December 31, 2017.
Restricted Share Units
All of the outstanding restricted share units are subject to continued employment, are retention based, and are
payable in common shares or cash in certain circumstances at a time determined by the Compensation Committee at
its discretion. The outstanding restricted share units that were granted in 2015, with the exception of the 2015 special
retention awards that have a 27 months vesting period, have or will vest in equal thirds on each of December 31, 2016,
December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018. The outstanding restricted share units that were granted in 2016, cliff
vest in three years on December 31, 2019.
Stock Options
The stock options that were granted during the first quarter of 2015 vest on December 31, 2017, subject to
continued employment through the vesting date, are exercisable at a strike price of $7.70 after the vesting date and
expire on January 12, 2025. The stock options that were granted on November 17, 2014 vest in equal thirds on each
of December 31, 2015, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017 subject to continued employment through each
vesting date, and are exercisable cumulatively at a strike price of $13.83 after each vesting date and expire on November
17, 2021.
125
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
On March 26, 2015, upon recommendation by the Compensation Committee, our Board of Directors approved
and adopted, subject to the approval of Cliffs' shareholders at the 2015 Annual Meeting, the Cliffs Natural Resources
Inc. 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. This plan was approved by our shareholders at the 2015 Annual Meeting
held May 19, 2015. 10 million common shares have been reserved for issuance under this plan; however, as of December
31, 2016, this program has not been made active and no common shares have been purchased. We sought shareholder
approval of this plan for the purpose of qualifying the reserved common shares for special tax treatment under Section
423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Nonemployee Directors
Equity Grants
During 2016, our nonemployee directors were entitled to receive restricted share awards under the Directors’
Plan. For 2016, nonemployee directors were granted a number of restricted shares, with a value equal to $85,000,
based on the closing price of our common shares on April 27, 2016, the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting, subject to
any deferral election and pursuant to the terms of the Directors’ Plan and an award agreement, effective on April 27,
2016.
For the last three years, Equity Grant shares have been awarded to elected or re-elected nonemployee Directors
as follows:
Year of Grant
2014
2015
2016
Restricted Equity
Grant Shares
Deferred Equity
Grant Shares
73,635
109,408
135,038
—
25,248
29,583
Starting in July, 2015, the Governance and Nominating Committee recommended, and the Board adopted, a
Nonemployee Director Retainer Share Election Program pursuant to which nonemployee directors may elect to receive
all or any portion of their annual retainer and any other fees earned in cash in Cliffs' common shares. Election is
voluntary and irrevocable for the applicable election period and shares issued under this program must be held for six
months from the issuance date. The number of shares received each quarter are calculated by dividing the value of
the quarterly cash retainer amount by the closing market price of the date of payment.
126
Other Information
The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense that we recorded for continuing
operations in 2016, 2015 and 2014:
(In Millions, except per
share amounts)
2015
2014
2016
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Reduction of operating income from continuing operations before income
taxes and equity loss from ventures
Income tax benefit1
Reduction of net income attributable to Cliffs shareholders
Reduction of earnings per share attributable to Cliffs shareholders:
Basic
Diluted
$
$
$
$
2.1
12.1
14.2
—
14.2
0.07
0.07
$
$
$
$
4.0 $
9.9
13.9
—
13.9 $
5.6
15.9
21.5
(7.5)
14.0
0.09 $
0.09 $
0.09
0.09
1 No income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, due to the full valuation allowance.
Determination of Fair Value
Performance Shares
The fair value of each performance share grant is estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation
to forecast relative TSR performance. A correlation matrix of historical and projected stock prices was developed for
both the Company and our predetermined peer group of mining and metals companies. The fair value assumes that
performance goals will be achieved.
The expected term of the grant represents the time from the grant date to the end of the service period for each
of the three plan-year agreements. We estimate the volatility of our common shares and that of the peer group of mining
and metals companies using daily price intervals for all companies. The risk-free interest rate is the rate at the grant
date on zero-coupon government bonds, with a term commensurate with the remaining life of the performance period.
No performance shares were granted in 2016, therefore no fair value analysis was required.
Stock Options
The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation
model. The expected term of the option grant is determined using the simplified method. We estimate the volatility of
our common shares using historical stock prices with consistent frequency over the most recent historical period equal
to the option’s expected term. The risk-free interest rate is the rate at the grant date on zero-coupon government bonds,
with a term commensurate with the expected term.
No stock options were granted in 2016, therefore no fair value analysis was required.
Restricted Share Units
The fair value of the restricted share units is determined based on the closing price of our common shares on
the grant date.
127
Stock option, restricted share awards and performance share activity under our long-term equity plans and
Directors’ Plans are as follows:
2016
Shares
2015
Shares
2014
Shares
Stock options:
Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted during the year
Forfeited/canceled
Outstanding at end of year
Restricted awards:
Outstanding and restricted at beginning of year
Granted during the year
Vested
Forfeited/canceled
607,489
—
(7,619)
599,870
2,338,070
3,571,337
(271,988)
(175,636)
250,000
412,710
(55,221)
607,489
523,176
2,482,415
(477,157)
(190,364)
Outstanding and restricted at end of year
5,461,783
2,338,070
—
250,000
—
250,000
586,084
531,030
(423,822)
(170,116)
523,176
Performance shares:
Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted during the year
Issued1
Forfeited/canceled
Outstanding at end of year
Vested or expected to vest as of
December 31, 2016
Directors’ retainer and voluntary shares:
Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted during the year
Vested
Outstanding at end of year
Reserved for future grants or awards at end
of year:
Employee plans
Directors’ plans
Total
1,496,489
1,072,376
—
(59,260)
(68,760)
874,575
(242,920)
(207,542)
1,040,453
1,233,685
(796,624)
(405,138)
1,368,469
1,496,489
1,072,376
—
—
—
—
7,329
2,281
(9,610)
—
6,716,979
—
—
—
—
6,514,038
676,678
7,190,716
1 The performance shares granted in 2014 will have a payout of 0% of the original grant based on the final performance
evaluation versus the performance goals that were established in the grants. These shares are not included in this
number because they expire and will be ultimately forfeited in February 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2015,
the shares vesting due to the change in control were paid out in cash, at target, and valued as of the respective participants'
termination dates. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the shares vesting on December 31, 2013 were valued as
of February 10, 2014, and the shares vesting due to the change in a majority of our Board of Directors that triggered the
acceleration of vesting and payout of outstanding equity grants under our equity plans on August 6, 2014 were paid out
in cash, at target, and valued as of that date.
128
A summary of our outstanding share-based awards as of December 31, 2016 is shown below:
Outstanding, beginning of year
Granted
Vested
Forfeited/expired
Outstanding, end of year
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
8.93
1.93
11.25
5.90
5.55
Shares
4,442,048 $
3,571,337 $
(331,248) $
(252,015) $
7,430,122 $
A summary of our stock option grants vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2016 is shown below:
Expected to vest
Exercisable
Shares
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
417,914 $
166,667 $
8.88 $
13.83 $
239,640
—
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(Years)
7.43
4.88
The total compensation cost related to outstanding awards not yet recognized is $14.7 million at December 31,
2016. The weighted average remaining period for the awards outstanding at December 31, 2016 is approximately 1.8
years.
NOTE 9 - INCOME TAXES
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Loss from Ventures includes the
following components:
United States
Foreign
2016
(In Millions)
2015
$
$
124.9 $
82.1
207.0 $
314.2 $
(1.1)
313.1 $
2014
(447.5)
427.8
(19.7)
The components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes on continuing operations consist of the following:
Current provision (benefit):
United States federal
United States state & local
Foreign
Deferred provision (benefit):
United States federal
United States state & local
Foreign
Total provision (benefit) on income (loss) from continuing operations
$
129
(In Millions)
2015
2014
2016
$
(11.1) $
(0.5)
(0.1)
(11.7)
8.2 $
0.3
0.9
9.4
(125.2)
(0.6)
11.7
(114.1)
(0.5)
—
—
165.8
—
(5.9)
(0.5)
(12.2) $
159.9
169.3 $
20.4
(24.9)
32.6
28.1
(86.0)
Reconciliation of our income tax attributable to continuing operations computed at the U.S. federal statutory
rate is as follows:
Tax at U.S. statutory rate of 35%
Increase (decrease) due to:
Impact of tax law change
Valuation allowance build/(reversal) on
tax benefits recorded in prior years
Tax uncertainties
Valuation allowance build/(reversal) in
current year
Prior year adjustments in current year
Worthless stock deduction
Impact of foreign operations
Percentage depletion in excess of cost
depletion
Non-taxable income related to
noncontrolling interests
State taxes, net
Settlement of financial guaranty
Income not subject to tax
Goodwill impairment
Other items — net
Provision for income tax (benefit) expense
and effective income tax rate including
discrete items
2016
(In Millions)
2015
2014
$
72.5
35.0 % $ 109.6
35.0% $
(6.9)
35.0%
149.1
72.0
—
—
(142.6)
(11.3)
93.9
(11.8)
(73.4)
(42.7)
(68.9)
(5.5)
45.4
(5.7)
(35.5)
(20.6)
165.8
84.1
(104.6)
5.9
—
(53.9)
52.9
26.9
(33.4)
1.9
—
(17.2)
13.0
15.2
—
(66.0)
(77.2)
—
318.3
(6.3)
—
51.4
(1,615.7)
32.1
—
(260.9)
(36.1)
(17.4)
(34.9)
(11.1)
(87.9)
446.2
(8.8)
0.4
—
—
—
(1.4)
(4.2)
0.2
—
—
—
(0.7)
(3.0)
0.2
—
—
—
0.1
(1.0)
0.1
—
—
—
—
(9.4)
(25.4)
47.7
128.9
(347.1)
1,761.9
(27.7)
22.7
4.1
140.6
(115.2)
(20.9)
$
(12.2)
(5.9)% $ 169.3
54.1% $
(86.0)
436.5%
The components of income taxes for other than continuing operations consisted of the following:
Other comprehensive (income) loss:
Pension/OPEB liability
Mark-to-market adjustments
Other
Total
Paid in capital — stock based compensation
Discontinued Operations
2016
(In Millions)
2015
2014
$
$
$
$
— $
—
0.5
0.5 $
— $
— $
— $
0.3
5.9
6.2 $
37.1
3.6
0.2
40.9
— $
(6.0) $
(4.8)
(1,216.0)
130
Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as
follows:
Deferred tax assets:
Pensions
Postretirement benefits other than pensions
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards
Deferred income
Financial instruments
Investments in ventures
Asset retirement obligations
Operating loss carryforwards
Property, plant and equipment and mineral rights
State and local
Lease liabilities
Other liabilities
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Net deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment and mineral rights
Investment in ventures
Intangible assets
Product inventories
Other assets
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
(In Millions)
2016
2015
$
114.6 $
35.2
251.2
44.5
71.3
—
22.3
2,699.7
181.2
59.2
12.9
108.3
3,600.4
(3,334.8)
265.6
(34.0)
(203.1)
(1.0)
(3.4)
(24.1)
(265.6)
$
— $
106.6
36.5
218.7
57.2
—
4.9
5.3
2,791.6
189.8
59.9
18.3
148.9
3,637.7
(3,372.5)
265.2
(35.5)
(206.6)
(1.5)
(2.5)
(19.1)
(265.2)
—
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $251.2 million and $218.7 million, respectively, of gross deferred tax
assets related to U.S. alternative minimum tax credits that can be carried forward indefinitely.
We had gross domestic (including states) and foreign net operating loss carryforwards, inclusive of discontinued
operations, of $3.7 billion and $6.9 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2016. We had gross domestic and foreign net
operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2015 of $3.9 billion and $11.1 billion, respectively. The U.S. Federal net
operating losses will begin to expire in 2035 and state net operating losses will begin to expire in 2019. The foreign
net operating losses can be carried forward indefinitely. We had foreign tax credit carryforwards of $5.8 million at
December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The foreign tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2020.
Additionally, there is a net operating loss carryforward, inclusive of discontinued operations, of $1.4 billion for Alternative
Minimum Tax. No benefit has been recorded in the financials for this attribute as ASC 740, Income Taxes, does not
allow for the recording of deferred taxes under alternative taxing systems.
We recorded a $37.7 million net decrease in the valuation allowance of certain deferred tax assets. Of this
amount, a $149.1 million decrease was due to the change in the Luxembourg statutory rate and a $33.1 million decrease
resulted from prior year adjustments due to a change in estimate of the 2015 net operating loss. Offsetting increases
to the valuation allowance included a $104.9 million increase related to the recording of deferred tax assets due to
current year operating activities and a $39.6 million increase related to the close of audits.
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had no cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries included
in consolidated retained earnings. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. deferred taxes related to future
repatriation of earnings.
131
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
Unrecognized tax benefits balance as of January 1
Increases/(decreases) for tax positions in prior years
Increases for tax positions in current year
Decrease due to foreign exchange
Settlements
Lapses in statutes of limitations
Other
Unrecognized tax benefits balance as of December 31
2016
(In Millions)
2015
2014
$
$
156.2 $
(61.0)
0.2
—
(64.7)
—
—
30.7 $
72.6 $
6.7
78.5
—
(1.1)
(0.5)
—
156.2 $
71.8
—
5.9
(0.2)
—
(3.7)
(1.2)
72.6
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $30.7 million and $156.2 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax
benefits recorded. Of this amount, $8.3 million and $21.5 million, respectively, were recorded in Other liabilities and
$22.4 million and $134.7 million, respectively, were recorded as Other non-current assets in the Statements of
Consolidated Financial Position for both years. If the $30.7 million were recognized, only $8.3 million would impact the
effective tax rate. We do not expect that the amount of unrecognized benefits will change significantly within the next
12 months. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $0.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of accrued interest
and penalties related to the unrecognized tax benefits recorded in Other liabilities in the Statements of Consolidated
Financial Position.
Tax years 2012 and forward remain subject to examination for the U.S. and Australia. Tax years 2008 and
forward remain subject to examination for Canada.
NOTE 10 - LEASE OBLIGATIONS
We lease certain mining, production and other equipment under operating and capital leases. The leases are
for varying lengths, generally at market interest rates and contain purchase and/or renewal options at the end of the
terms. Our operating lease expense was $7.6 million, $12.0 million and $17.8 million for the years ended December 31,
2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Capital lease assets were $29.3 million and $32.5 million at December 31, 2016
and 2015, respectively. Corresponding accumulated amortization of capital leases included in respective allowances
for depreciation were $13.1 million and $8.7 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Future minimum payments under capital leases and non-cancellable operating leases at December 31, 2016
are as follows:
(In Millions)
Capital Leases
Operating Leases
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022 and thereafter
Total minimum lease payments
Amounts representing interest
Present value of net minimum lease payments1
$
$
$
$
$
22.0
17.9
9.9
9.0
8.3
0.7
67.8
12.0
55.8
6.9
5.6
3.0
2.9
3.0
—
21.4
1 The total is comprised of $17.4 million and $38.4 million classified as Other current liabilities and Other liabilities,
respectively, in the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position at December 31, 2016.
132
NOTE 11 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINE CLOSURE OBLIGATIONS
We had environmental and mine closure liabilities of $206.8 million and $234.0 million at December 31, 2016
and 2015, respectively. Payments in 2016 and 2015 were $2.4 million and $2.6 million, respectively. The following is a
summary of the obligations as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:
Environmental
Mine closure
U.S. Iron Ore1
Asia Pacific Iron Ore
Total mine closure
Total environmental and mine closure obligations
Less current portion
Long-term environmental and mine closure obligations
(In Millions)
December 31,
2016
2015
$
$
2.8 $
187.8
16.2
204.0
206.8
12.9
193.9 $
3.6
214.0
16.4
230.4
234.0
2.8
231.2
1 U.S. Iron Ore includes our active operating mines, our indefinitely idled Empire mine and a closed mine formerly
operating as LTVSMC.
Environmental
Our mining and exploration activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the
environment. We conduct our operations to protect the public health and environment and believe our operations are
in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects. Our environmental liabilities of $2.8 million
and $3.6 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, including obligations for known environmental remediation
exposures at various active and closed mining operations and other sites, have been recognized based on the estimated
cost of investigation and remediation at each site. If the cost can only be estimated as a range of possible amounts with
no specific amount being more likely, the minimum of the range is accrued. Future expenditures are not discounted
unless the amount and timing of the cash disbursements readily are known. Potential insurance recoveries have not
been reflected. Additional environmental obligations could be incurred, the extent of which cannot be assessed.
Mine Closure
Our mine closure obligations of $204.0 million and $230.4 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively,
include our U.S. Iron Ore mines and our Asia Pacific Iron Ore mine.
The accrued closure obligation for our mining operations provides for contractual and legal obligations associated
with the eventual closure of the mining operations. We performed a detailed assessment of our asset retirement obligations
related to our active mining locations most recently in 2014 in accordance with our accounting policy, which requires us
to perform an in-depth evaluation of the liability every three years in addition to routine annual assessments.
Management periodically performs an assessment of the obligation to determine the adequacy of the liability in
relation to the closure activities still required at the LTVSMC site. The LTVSMC closure liability was $25.5 million and
$24.1 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We are anticipating MPCA to reissue the NPDES permits
for this facility in the future that could modify the closure liability, but the scale of that change will not be understood until
reissuance of the permits.
For the assessments performed, we determined the obligations based on detailed estimates adjusted for factors
that a market participant would consider (i.e., inflation, overhead and profit) and then discounted the obligation using the
current credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate based on the corresponding life of mine. The estimate also incorporates
incremental increases in the closure cost estimates and changes in estimates of mine lives. The closure date for each
location was determined based on the exhaustion date of the remaining iron ore reserves. The accretion of the liability
and amortization of the related asset is recognized over the estimated mine lives for each location.
133
The following represents a roll forward of our asset retirement obligation liability for the years ended December 31,
2016 and 2015:
Asset retirement obligation at beginning of period
Accretion expense
Remediation payments
Exchange rate changes
Revision in estimated cash flows
Asset retirement obligation at end of period
(In Millions)
December 31,
2016
2015
$
$
230.4 $
14.0
(2.2)
(0.2)
(38.0)
204.0 $
165.3
7.7
—
(1.1)
58.5
230.4
The revisions in estimated cash flows recorded during the year ended December 31, 2016 relate primarily to
revisions in the timing of the estimated cash flows related to two of our U.S. mines. The Empire mine asset retirement
obligation was reduced $29.6 million as a result of the further refinement of the timing of cash flows and a downward
revision of estimated asset retirement costs related to technology associated with required storm water management
systems expected to be implemented. Additionally, during 2016, a new economic reserve estimate was completed for
United Taconite, increasing salable product reserves by 115 million long tons and consequently significantly increasing
the life-of-mine plan, resulting in a $9.2 million decrease in the asset retirement obligation.
The revisions in estimated cash flows recorded during the year ended December 31, 2015 related primarily to
revisions in the timing of the estimated cash flows and the technology associated with required storm water management
systems expected to be implemented subsequent to the indefinite idling of the Empire mine, which resulted in an increase
in the asset retirement obligation of $45.2 million.
NOTE 12 - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets of acquired companies
and is not subject to amortization. We assign goodwill arising from acquired companies to the reporting units that are
expected to benefit from the synergies of the acquisition. Our reporting units are either at the operating segment level
or a component one level below our operating segments that constitutes a business for which management generally
reviews production and financial results of that component. Decisions often are made as to capital expenditures,
investments and production plans at the component level as part of the ongoing management of the related operating
segment. We have determined that our Asia Pacific Iron Ore operating segment constitutes a separate reporting unit
and that Northshore within our U.S. Iron Ore operating segment constitutes a reporting unit. Goodwill is allocated among
and evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level in the fourth quarter of each year or as circumstances occur that
potentially indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may exceed their fair value.
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no goodwill impairment charges. During the
third quarter of 2014, a goodwill impairment charge of $73.5 million was recorded for our Asia Pacific Iron Ore reporting
segment. The impairment charge was a result of downward long-term pricing estimates as determined through
management's long-range planning process.
The carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $2.0
million and related to our U.S. Iron Ore operating segment.
134
Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Following is a summary of intangible assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
December 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
(In Millions)
Classification
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Carrying
Amount
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Carrying
Amount
Definite-lived
intangible assets:
Permits
Total intangible
assets
Below-market
sales contracts
Below-market
sales contracts
Total below-
market sales
contracts
Other non-current
assets
Other current
liabilities
Other liabilities
$
$
$
78.4 $
(24.6) $
53.8 $
78.4 $
(20.2) $
58.2
78.4 $
(24.6) $
53.8 $
78.4 $
(20.2) $
58.2
— $
— $
— $
(23.1) $
— $ (23.1)
—
—
—
(205.8)
205.8
—
$
— $
— $
— $ (228.9) $
205.8 $ (23.1)
Amortization expense relating to intangible assets was $4.8 million, $4.2 million and $8.4 million for the years
ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is recognized in Cost of goods sold and operating expenses
in the Statements of Consolidated Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, an impairment charge of
$13.8 million was recorded related to the permits intangible asset and is recognized in Impairment of goodwill and other
long-lived assets in the Statements of Consolidated Operations. There were no impairment charges recorded for definite-
lived intangible assets in 2016 or 2015. The estimated amortization expense relating to intangible assets for each of the
five succeeding years is as follows:
Year Ending December 31
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Total
(In Millions)
Amount
1.9
1.9
2.0
1.6
1.0
8.4
$
The below-market sales contract was historically classified as a liability and was recognized over the term of the
underlying contract, which expired December 31, 2016. As a result, there will be no future impact to Product revenues
for the succeeding fiscal years relating to this contract. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we
recognized $23.1 million per year in Product revenues related to below-market sales contracts.
135
NOTE 13 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The following table presents the fair value of our derivative instruments and the classification of each in the
Statements of Consolidated Financial Position as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
(In Millions)
Derivative Assets
Derivative Liabilities
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2015
December 31,
2016
December 31, 2015
Balance
Sheet
Location
Other
current
assets
Other
current
assets
Balance
Sheet
Location
Other
current
assets
Other
current
assets
Other
current
assets
Fair
Value
21.3
10.3
1.5
Fair
Value
Balance
Sheet
Location
Fair
Value
Balance
Sheet
Location
Fair
Value
Other
current
liabilities
5.8
2.0
—
—
0.5
—
Other
current
liabilities
Other
current
liabilities
—
3.4
0.6
$ 33.1
$ 7.8
$
0.5
$
4.0
Derivative
Instrument
Customer Supply
Agreements
Provisional Pricing
Arrangements
Commodity Contracts
Total derivatives not
designated as hedging
instruments under ASC 815:
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Customer Supply Agreements
Most of our U.S. Iron Ore long-term supply agreements are comprised of a base price with annual price adjustment
factors. The base price is the primary component of the purchase price for each contract. The indexed price adjustment
factors are integral to the iron ore supply contracts and vary based on the agreement, but typically include adjustments
based upon changes in the Platts 62% Price, along with pellet premiums, published Platts international indexed freight
rates and changes in specified Producer Price Indices, including those for industrial commodities, energy and steel. The
pricing adjustments generally operate in the same manner, with each factor typically comprising a portion of the price
adjustment, although the weighting of each factor varies based upon the specific terms of each agreement. In most
cases, these adjustment factors have not been finalized at the time our product is sold. In these cases, we historically
have estimated the adjustment factors at each reporting period based upon the best third-party information available.
The estimates are then adjusted to actual when the information has been finalized. The price adjustment factors have
been evaluated to determine if they contain embedded derivatives. The price adjustment factors share the same economic
characteristics and risks as the host contract and are integral to the host contract as inflation adjustments; accordingly,
they have not been separately valued as derivative instruments.
A certain supply agreement with one U.S. Iron Ore customer provides for supplemental revenue or refunds to
the customer based on the customer’s average annual steel pricing at the time the product is consumed in the customer’s
blast furnace. The supplemental pricing is characterized as a freestanding derivative and is required to be accounted
for separately once the product is shipped. The derivative instrument, which is finalized based on a future price, is
adjusted to fair value as a revenue adjustment each reporting period until the pellets are consumed and the amounts
are settled.
We recognized $41.7 million, $27.1 million and $187.8 million as Product revenues in the Statements of
Consolidated Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to the
supplemental payments. The fair value of the pricing factors were $21.3 million and $5.8 million in Other current assets
in the December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 Statements of Consolidated Financial Position, respectively.
Provisional Pricing Arrangements
Certain of our U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore customer supply agreements specify provisional price
calculations, where the pricing mechanisms generally are based on market pricing, with the final revenue rate to be
based on market inputs at a specified period in time in the future, per the terms of the supply agreements. U.S. Iron Ore
136
sales revenue is primarily recognized when cash is received. For U.S. Iron Ore sales, the difference between the
provisionally agreed-upon price and the estimated final revenue rate is characterized as a freestanding derivative and
must be accounted for separately once the provisional revenue has been recognized. Asia Pacific Iron Ore sales revenue
is recorded initially at the provisionally agreed-upon price with the pricing provision embedded in the receivable. The
pricing provision is an embedded derivative that must be bifurcated and accounted for separately from the receivable.
Subsequently, the derivative instruments for both U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore are adjusted to fair value through
Product revenues each reporting period based upon current market data and forward-looking estimates provided by
management until the final revenue rate is determined. At December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we recorded
$10.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively, as Other current assets in the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position
related to our estimate of the final revenue rate with any of our customers. At December 31, 2016 and December 31,
2015, we recorded $0.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively, as Other current liabilities in the Statements of Consolidated
Financial Position related to our estimate of final revenue rate with our U.S. Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore customers.
These amounts represent the difference between the provisional price agreed upon with our customers based on the
supply agreement terms and our estimate of the final revenue rate based on the price calculations established in the
supply agreements. We recognized a net $49.0 million increase in Product revenues in the Statements of Consolidated
Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 related to these arrangements. This compares with a net $1.4 million
decrease and a net $9.5 million decrease in Product revenues for the comparable periods in 2015 and 2014.
The following summarizes the effect of our derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments in the
Statements of Consolidated Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
Derivatives Not Designated as
Hedging Instruments
(In Millions)
Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Income on Derivative
Customer Supply Agreements
Provisional Pricing Arrangements
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Product revenues
Product revenues
Other non-operating income
(expense)
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Product revenues
Commodity Contracts
Total
Cost of goods sold and operating
expenses
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
2015
2014
41.7 $
49.0
27.1 $
187.8
(1.4)
(9.5)
—
—
1.9
92.6 $
(3.6)
(12.6)
(4.0)
—
—
—
5.5 $
178.3
$
$
Refer to NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS for additional information.
NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The information below sets forth selected financial information related to operating results of our businesses
classified as discontinued operations. While the reclassification of revenues and expenses related to discontinued
operations from prior periods have no impact upon previously reported net income, the Statements of Consolidated
Operations present the revenues and expenses that were reclassified from the specified line items to discontinued
operations.
137
The chart below provides an asset group breakout for each financial statement line impacted by discontinued
operations.
(In Millions)
Canadian Operations
North
American
Coal
Eastern
Canadian
Iron Ore
Total
Canadian
Operations
Total of
Discontinued
Operations
Other
Statements of Consolidated Operations
Loss from Discontinued
Operations, net of tax
Loss from Discontinued
Operations, net of tax
Loss from Discontinued
Operations, net of tax
YTD
December 31, 2016
YTD
December 31, 2015
YTD
December 31, 2014
Statements of Consolidated Financial Position
Other current liabilities
Other current assets
Other current liabilities
As of
December 31, 2016
As of
December 31, 2015
As of
December 31, 2015
Non-Cash Operating and Investing Activities
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment
YTD
December 31, 2015
YTD
December 31, 2015
Impairment of goodwill and other
long-lived assets
YTD
December 31, 2015
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment
YTD
December 31, 2014
YTD
December 31, 2014
Impairment of goodwill and other
long-lived assets
YTD
December 31, 2014
North American Coal Operations
Background
$
$
(2.4) $
(17.5) $
— $
(17.5) $
(19.9)
(152.4) $
(638.7) $ (101.0) $
(739.7) $
(892.1)
$ (1,134.5) $ (6,952.9) $ (280.6) $
(7,233.5) $
(8,368.0)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
6.0
14.9
6.9
3.2
15.9
73.4
106.9
29.9
857.5
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
135.6 $
0.5 $
136.1
190.3 $
— $
190.3
7,269.2 $
267.6 $
7,536.8
$
$
$
6.0
14.9
6.9
3.2
15.9
73.4
243.0
220.2
8,394.3
As of March 31, 2015, management determined that our North American Coal operating segment met the criteria
to be classified as held for sale under ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements. The North American Coal segment
continued to meet the criteria throughout 2015 until we sold our held for sale North American Coal operations during the
fourth quarter of 2015. As such, all current and historical North American Coal operating segment results are included
in our financial statements and classified within discontinued operations.
In the first quarter of 2015, as part of the held for sale classification assigned to North American Coal, an
impairment of $73.4 million was recorded. The impairment charge was to reduce the assets to their estimated fair value
which was determined based on potential sales scenarios. No further impairment was recorded in 2015.
We sold all the remaining North American Coal operations during the fourth quarter of 2015. On December 22,
2015, we closed the sale of our remaining North American Coal business, which included Pinnacle mine in West Virginia
and Oak Grove mine in Alabama. Pinnacle mine and Oak Grove mine were sold to Seneca and the deal structure was
a sale of equity interests of our remaining coal business. Additionally, Seneca may pay Cliffs an earn-out of up to $50
million contingent upon the terms of a revenue sharing agreement which extends through the year 2020. However, we
have not recorded a gain contingency in relation to this earn-out. We recorded the results of this sale within Loss from
Discontinued Operations, net of tax for the year ended December 31, 2015.
138
On December 31, 2014, we completed the sale of our CLCC assets in West Virginia to Coronado Coal II, LLC,
an affiliate of Coronado Coal LLC, for $174.0 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities, of which $155.0
million was collected as of December 31, 2014. We recorded the results of this sale in our fourth quarter earnings within
Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax as the transaction closed on December 31, 2014.
Loss on Discontinued Operations
The sale of our Oak Grove and Pinnacle mines on December 22, 2015 completed a strategic shift in our business.
Our previously reported North American Coal operating segment results for all periods, prior to the March 31, 2015 held
for sale determination, are classified as discontinued operations. Historical results also include our CLCC assets, which
were sold during the fourth quarter of 2014.
Loss from Discontinued Operations
Revenues from product sales and services
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses
Sales margin
Other operating expense
Gain (loss) on sale of coal mines
Other expense
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes
Impairment of long-lived assets
Income tax benefit
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
$
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
(In Millions)
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
— $
—
392.9 $
(449.2)
2016
$
—
(4.5)
2.1
—
(2.4)
—
—
(2.4) $
(56.3)
(30.4)
9.3
(1.8)
(79.2)
(73.4)
0.2
2014
687.1
(822.9)
(135.8)
(20.8)
(419.6)
(3.0)
(579.2)
(857.5)
302.2
(152.4) $ (1,134.5)
The following table presents information about the impairment charge on non-financial assets that was measured
on a fair value basis at March 31, 2015 for the North American Coal operations. There were no financial and non-financial
assets and liabilities that were measured on a non-recurring fair value basis at December 31, 2016 for the North American
Coal operations. The table also indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used to determine such
fair value.
(In Millions)
March 31, 2015
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets/
Liabilities
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Total
Losses
$
$
— $
— $
— $
— $
20.4 $
20.4 $
20.4 $
20.4 $
73.4
73.4
Description
Assets:
Other long-lived assets - Property, plant and
equipment and Mineral rights: North American
Coal operating unit
In the first quarter of 2015, as part of the held for sale classification assigned to North American Coal, an
impairment charge of $73.4 million was recorded. The impairment charge was to reduce the assets to their estimated
fair value which was determined based on potential sales scenarios. We determined the fair value and recoverability of
our North American Coal operating segment by comparing the estimated fair value of the underlying assets and liabilities
to the estimated sales price of the operating segment held for sale. No further impairment was recorded in 2015.
139
Recorded Assets and Liabilities
Assets and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations1
Other current assets
Total assets of discontinued operations
Accrued liabilities
Other current liabilities
Total liabilities of discontinued operations
(In Millions)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2015
$
$
$
$
— $
— $
1.1 $
4.9
6.0 $
14.9
14.9
—
6.9
6.9
1 At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we also recorded $2.1 million and $7.8 million, respectively, of contingent
liabilities associated with our exit from the coal business recorded on our parent company.
As part of the CLCC asset sale during the fourth quarter of 2014, there was an amount placed in escrow to cover
decreases in working capital, indemnity obligations and regulatory liabilities. During the year ended December 31, 2016,
$10.3 million was released to us from escrow. There was no amount held in escrow at December 31, 2016 and $14.9
million at December 31, 2015 recorded within Other current assets on the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position.
Income Taxes
We have recognized no tax expense or benefit for the year ended December 31, 2016 in Loss from Discontinued
Operations, net of tax, related to our North American Coal investments. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and
2014, we have recognized a tax benefit of $0.2 million and $302.2 million, respectively, in Loss from Discontinued
Operations, net of tax, related to a loss on our North American Coal investments. The benefit for the year ended December
31, 2014 is primarily the result of the impairment of long-lived assets in the third quarter of 2014.
Canadian Operations
Background
On November 30, 2013, we suspended indefinitely our Chromite Project in Northern Ontario. The Chromite
Project remained suspended throughout 2014 and until final sale in 2015. Our Wabush Scully iron ore mine in
Newfoundland and Labrador was idled by the end of the first quarter of 2014 and subsequently began to commence
permanent closure in the fourth quarter of 2014. During 2014, we also limited exploration spending on the Labrador
Trough South property in Québec. In November 2014, we announced that we were pursuing exit options for our Eastern
Canadian Iron Ore operations. In December 2014, iron ore production at the Bloom Lake mine was suspended and the
Bloom Lake mine was placed in "care-and-maintenance" mode. Together, the suspension of exploration efforts, shutdown
of the Wabush Scully mine and the cessation of operations at our Bloom Lake mine represented a complete curtailment
of our Canadian operations.
On January 27, 2015, we announced the Bloom Filing under the CCAA with the Québec Court in Montreal. At
that time, the Bloom Lake Group was no longer generating revenues and was not able to meet its obligations as they
came due. The Bloom Filing addressed the Bloom Lake Group's immediate liquidity issues and permitted the Bloom
Lake Group to preserve and protect its assets for the benefit of all stakeholders while restructuring and sale options are
explored. As part of the CCAA process, the Court approved the appointment of a Monitor and certain other financial
advisors.
Additionally, on May 20, 2015, we announced the Wabush Filing with the Court under the CCAA. As a result
of this action, the CCAA protections granted to the Bloom Lake Group were extended to include the Wabush Group to
facilitate the reorganization of each of their businesses and operations. The Wabush Group was no longer generating
revenues and was not able to meet its obligations as they came due. The inclusion of the Wabush Group in the existing
Bloom Filing facilitated a more comprehensive restructuring and sale process of both the Bloom Lake Group and the
Wabush Group, which collectively included mine, port and rail assets. The Wabush Filing also mitigates various legacy
related long-term liabilities associated with the Wabush Group. As part of the Wabush Filing, the Court approved the
appointment of a Monitor and certain other financial advisors. The Monitor of the Wabush Group is also the Monitor of
the Bloom Lake Group.
As a result of the Bloom Filing on January 27, 2015, we no longer have a controlling interest in the Bloom Lake
Group. For that reason, we deconsolidated the Bloom Lake Group and certain other wholly-owned subsidiaries effective
140
January 27, 2015, which resulted in a pretax impairment loss on deconsolidation and other charges, totaling $818.7
million that was recorded in the first quarter of 2015. The pretax loss on deconsolidation includes the derecognition of
the carrying amounts of the Bloom Lake Group and certain other wholly-owned subsidiaries' assets, liabilities and
accumulated other comprehensive loss and the recording of our remaining interests at fair value.
As a result of the Wabush Filing, we deconsolidated certain Wabush Group wholly-owned subsidiaries effective
May 20, 2015. The certain wholly-owned subsidiaries that were deconsolidated effective May 20, 2015 are Wabush
Group entities that were not deconsolidated as part of the deconsolidation effective January 27, 2015 as discussed
previously in this section. This deconsolidation, effective May 20, 2015, resulted in a pretax gain on deconsolidation and
other charges, totaling $134.7 million. The pretax gain on deconsolidation includes the derecognition of the carrying
amounts of these certain deconsolidated Wabush Group wholly-owned subsidiaries' assets, liabilities and accumulated
other comprehensive loss and the adjustment of our remaining interests in the Canadian Entities to fair value.
Subsequent to each of the deconsolidations discussed above, we utilized the cost method to account for our
investment in the Canadian Entities, which has been reflected as zero in our Statements of Consolidated Financial
Position as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 based on the estimated fair value of the Canadian Entities' net assets.
Loans to and accounts receivable from the Canadian Entities are recorded at an estimated fair value of $48.6 million
and $72.9 million classified as Loans to and accounts receivables from the Canadian Entities in the Statements of
Consolidated Financial Position as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Loans to and accounts receivables
from the Canadian Entities balance reflects our current estimate. We continue to update the estimate as the CCAA
proceedings progress. The December 31, 2016 balance reflects recent developments, including finalized liquidation
values for completed asset sales and updates for the expected allocation of proceeds for those sales, updates for ongoing
costs incurred by the estate that will be held back from the final distribution, and the repayment of the DIP financing.
Status of CCAA Proceedings
On March 8, 2016, certain of the Canadian Entities completed the sale of their port and rail assets located in
Pointe-Noire, Quebec to Societe Ferroviaire et Portuaire de Pointe-Noire S.E.C., an affiliate of Investissement Quebec,
for C$66.75 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities.
On April 11, 2016, certain of the Canadian Entities completed the sale of the Bloom Lake mine and Labrador
Trough South mineral claims located in Quebec, as well as certain rail assets located in Newfoundland & Labrador, to
Quebec Iron Ore Inc., an affiliate of Champion Iron Mines Limited, for C$10.5 million in cash and the assumption of
certain liabilities.
As of December 31, 2016, the majority of assets available to the estate have been liquidated. The CCAA
proceedings are still ongoing and the Monitor is evaluating all claims into the estate including our related party claims.
Currently, there is uncertainty as to the amount of the distribution that will be made to the creditors of the estate, including,
if any to Cliffs, and whether Cliffs could be held liable for claims that may be asserted by or on behalf of the Bloom Lake
Group or the Wabush Group or by their respective representatives against non-debtor affiliates of the Bloom Lake Group
and the Wabush Group.
After repayment of the DIP financing, payment of sales expenses, taxes and the costs of the CCAA proceedings
to date, the net proceeds from these and certain other divestitures by the Canadian Entities are currently being held by
the Monitor, on behalf of the Canadian Entities, to fund the accrued and ongoing costs of the CCAA proceedings and for
eventual distribution to creditors of the Canadian Entities pending further order of the Montreal Court.
Loss on Discontinued Operations
Our Canadian exit represents a strategic shift in our business. For this reason, our previously reported Eastern
Canadian Iron Ore and Ferroalloys operating segment results for all periods prior to the respective deconsolidations, as
well as costs to exit, are classified as discontinued operations.
141
Loss from Discontinued Operations
Revenues from product sales and services
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses
Eliminations with continuing operations
Sales margin
Other operating expense
Other expense
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes
Loss from deconsolidation
Impairment of long-lived assets
Income tax benefit
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
$
(In Millions)
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
— $
—
11.3 $
(11.1)
2016
$
2014
563.5
(808.4)
(53.6)
(298.5)
(306.3)
(5.6)
(610.4)
—
—
0.2
(33.8)
(1.0)
(34.6)
(710.9)
—
—
—
—
—
(17.5)
—
—
(17.5) $
—
5.8
(7,536.8)
913.7
(739.7) $ (7,233.5)
Canadian Entities loss from deconsolidation totaled $17.5 million and $710.9 million for the year ended December
31, 2016 and 2015, respectively and included the following:
Investment impairment on deconsolidation1
Guarantees and contingent liabilities
Total loss from deconsolidation
(In Millions)
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
$
$
(17.5) $
—
(17.5) $
(507.8)
(203.1)
(710.9)
1 Includes the adjustment to fair value of our remaining interest in the Canadian Entities.
We have no gain or loss from deconsolidation attributable to contingent liabilities for the year ended December 31,
2016 compared to a loss of $203.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. As a result of the deconsolidation,
we recorded accrued expenses for the estimated probable loss related to claims that may be asserted against us, primarily
under guarantees of certain debt arrangements and leases for a loss on deconsolidation of $203.1 million, for the year
ended December 31, 2015.
Investments in the Canadian Entities
We continue to indirectly own a majority of the interest in the Canadian Entities but have deconsolidated those
entities because we no longer have a controlling interest as a result of the Bloom Filing and the Wabush Filing. At the
respective dates of deconsolidation, January 27, 2015 or May 20, 2015 and subsequently at each reporting period, we
adjusted our investment in the Canadian Entities to fair value with a corresponding charge to Loss from Discontinued
Operations, net of tax. As the estimated amount of the Canadian Entities' liabilities exceeded the estimated fair value
of the assets available for distribution to its creditors, the fair value of Cliffs’ equity investment is approximately zero.
Amounts Receivable from the Canadian Entities
Prior to the deconsolidations, various Cliffs wholly-owned entities made loans to the Canadian Entities for the
purpose of funding its operations and had accounts receivable generated in the ordinary course of business. The loans,
corresponding interest and the accounts receivable were considered intercompany transactions and eliminated in our
consolidated financial statements. Additionally, we procured funding subsequent to the deconsolidation through the DIP
financing. Since the deconsolidations, the loans, associated interest and accounts receivable are considered related
party transactions and have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements at their estimated fair value of
$48.6 million and $72.9 million classified as Loans to and accounts receivables from the Canadian Entities in the
Statements of Consolidated Financial Position at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
142
Guarantees and Contingent Liabilities
Certain liabilities, consisting primarily of equipment loans and environmental obligations of the Canadian Entities,
were secured through corporate guarantees and standby letters of credit. As of December 31, 2016, we have liabilities
of $0.2 million and $37.0 million, respectively, in our consolidated results, classified as Guarantees and Other liabilities
in the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position. As of December 31, 2015, we have liabilities of $96.5 million and
$35.9 million, respectively, in our consolidated results, classified as Guarantees and Other liabilities in the Statements
of Consolidated Financial Position.
Contingencies
The recorded expenses include an accrual for the estimated probable loss related to claims that may be asserted
against us. Our estimates involve significant judgment. Our estimates are based on currently available information, an
assessment of the validity of certain claims and estimated payments by the Canadian Entities. We are not able to
reasonably estimate a range of possible losses in excess of the accrual because there are significant factual and legal
issues to be resolved. We believe that it is reasonably possible that future changes to our estimates of loss and the
ultimate amount paid on these claims could be material to our results of operations in future periods. Any such losses
would be reported in discontinued operations.
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
The following table presents information about the financial assets and liabilities that were measured on a fair
value basis at December 31, 2016 and 2015 for the Canadian Entities. The table also indicates the fair value hierarchy
of the valuation techniques used to determine such fair value.
(In Millions)
December 31, 2016
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets/
Liabilities
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Total
Losses
Description
Assets:
Loans to and accounts receivables from the
Canadian Entities
Liabilities:
Guarantees and contingent liabilities
$
$
— $
— $
— $
48.6 $
48.6 $
17.5
— $
37.2 $
37.2 $
—
(In Millions)
December 31, 2015
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets/
Liabilities
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Total
Losses
Description
Assets:
Loans to and accounts receivables from the
Canadian Entities
Liabilities:
Guarantees and contingent liabilities
$
$
— $
— $
— $
72.9 $
72.9 $
507.8
— $
132.4 $
132.4 $
203.1
We determined the fair value and recoverability of our Canadian investments by comparing the estimated fair
value of the remaining underlying assets of the Canadian Entities to remaining estimated liabilities. We recorded the
guarantees and contingent liabilities at book value, which best approximated fair value.
Outstanding liabilities include accounts payable and other liabilities, forward commitments, unsubordinated
related party payables, lease liabilities and other potential claims. Potential claims include an accrual for the estimated
143
probable loss related to claims that may be asserted against the Bloom Lake Group and Wabush Group under certain
contracts. Claimants may seek damages or other related relief as a result of the Canadian Entities' exit from Canada.
Based on our estimates, the fair value of liabilities exceeds the fair value of assets.
To assess the fair value and recoverability of the amounts receivable from the Canadian Entities, we estimated
the fair value of the underlying net assets of the Canadian Entities available for distribution to their creditors in relation
to the estimated creditor claims and the priority of those claims.
Our estimates involve significant judgment and are based on currently available information, an assessment of
the validity of certain claims and estimated payments made by the Canadian Entities. Our ultimate recovery is subject
to the final liquidation value of the Canadian Entities. Further, the final liquidation value and ultimate recovery of the
creditors of the Canadian Entities, including, if any, to Cliffs and various subsidiaries, may impact our estimates of
contingent liability exposure described previously.
Pre-Petition Financing
Prior to the Wabush Filing on May 20, 2015, a secured credit facility (the "Pre-Petition financing") was put into
place to provide support to the Wabush Group for ongoing business activities until the DIP financing was in place. There
was a total of $7.2 million drawn and outstanding under the Pre-Petition financing funded by Wabush Iron Co. Limited’s
parent company, Cliffs Mining Company as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Our estimated recovery of the Pre-Petition
financing is included within the Loans to and accounts receivables from the Canadian Entities of $48.6 million. The Pre-
Petition financing is secured by certain equipment of the Wabush Group.
DIP Financing
In connection with the Wabush Filing on May 20, 2015, the Montreal Court approved an agreement to provide
the DIP financing to the Wabush Group, which provided for borrowings under the facility up to $10.0 million. As
of December 31, 2015, there was $6.8 million drawn and outstanding under the DIP financing funded by Wabush Iron
Co. Limited’s parent company, Cliffs Mining Company. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Wabush
Group made an additional draw of $1.5 million. We subsequently received a repayment of $8.3 million and as a result,
there was no outstanding balance due under the DIP financing arrangement from Wabush Iron Co. Limited’s parent
company, Cliffs Mining Company as of December 31, 2016.
Income Taxes
We have recognized no tax expense or benefit for the year ended December 31, 2016 in Loss from Discontinued
Operations, net of tax, related to our Canadian investments. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we
recognized a tax benefit of $5.8 million and $913.7 million, respectively, in Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of
tax. The benefit for the year ended December 31, 2014 was the result of the impairment of long-lived assets in the third
quarter of 2014 offset by the placement of a valuation allowance against the Canadian operations net deferred tax assets.
NOTE 15 - CAPITAL STOCK
Preferred Shares Conversion to Common Shares
On January 4, 2016, we announced that our Board of Directors determined the final quarterly dividend of our
Preferred Shares would not be paid in cash, but instead, pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Shares, the conversion
rate was increased such that holders of the Preferred Shares received additional common shares in lieu of the accrued
dividend at the time of the mandatory conversion on February 1, 2016. The number of common shares in the aggregate
that were issued in lieu of the final dividend was 1.3 million. This resulted in an effective conversion rate of 0.9052
common shares, rather than 0.8621 common shares, per depositary share, each representing a 1/40th of a Preferred
Share.
144
Prior to the mandatory conversion, holders of the depositary shares were entitled to a proportional fractional
interest in the rights and preferences of the Series A preferred shares, including conversion, dividend, liquidation and
voting rights, subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement. The Series A preferred shares were convertible, at the
option of the holder, at the minimum conversion rate of 28.1480 of our common shares (equivalent to 0.7037 of our
common shares per depositary share) at any time prior to February 1, 2016 or other than during a fundamental change
conversion period, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. If not converted prior to that time, each Series A preferred share
converted automatically on February 1, 2016 into between 28.1480 and 34.4840 common shares, par value $0.125 per
share, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. The number of common shares issued on conversion was determined based
on the average VWAP per share of our common shares during the 20 trading day period beginning on, and including,
the 23rd scheduled trading day prior to February 1, 2016, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. Upon conversion
on February 1, 2016, an aggregate of 26.5 million common shares were issued, representing 25.2 million common shares
issuable upon conversion and 1.3 million that were issued in lieu of a final cash dividend.
Dividends
On March 27, 2015, July 1, 2015 and September 10, 2015, our Board of Directors declared the quarterly cash
dividend of $17.50 per Preferred Share, which is equivalent to approximately $0.44 per depositary share. The cash
dividend was paid on May 1, 2015, August 3, 2015 and November 2, 2015 to our shareholders of record as of the close
of business on April 15, 2015, July 15, 2015 and October 15, 2015, respectively.
On February 11, 2014, May 13, 2014, September 8, 2014 and November 19, 2014, our Board of Directors
declared the quarterly cash dividend of $17.50 per Preferred Share, which is equivalent to approximately $0.44 per
depositary share. The cash dividend was paid on May 1, 2014, August 1, 2014, November 3, 2014 and February 2,
2015, to our Preferred Shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 15, 2014, July 15, 2014, October 15,
2014 and January 15, 2015, respectively.
On February 11, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a reduction to our quarterly cash dividend rate by 76%
to $0.15 per share. The cash dividend of $0.15 per share was paid on March 3, 2014, June 3, 2014, September 2, 2014
and December 1, 2014 to our common shareholders of record as of close of business on February 21, 2014, May 23,
2014, August 15, 2014 and November 15, 2014.
On January 26, 2015, we announced that our Board of Directors had decided to eliminate the quarterly dividend
of $0.15 per share on our common shares. The decision was applicable to the first quarter of 2015 and all subsequent
quarters.
Debt-for-Equity Exchanges
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we entered into a series of privately negotiated exchange agreements
whereby we issued an aggregate of 8.2 million common shares in exchange for $10.0 million aggregate principal amount
of our 3.95% senior notes due 2018, $20.1 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.80% senior notes due 2020 and
$26.8 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.875% senior notes due 2021. There were no exchanges that represented
more than 1% of our outstanding common shares during any quarter. Accordingly, we recognized a gain of $11.3 million in
Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt in the Statements of Consolidated Operations for the year ended
December 31, 2016. The issuances of the common shares in exchange for our senior notes due 2018, 2020 and 2021
were made in reliance on the exemption from registration provided in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.
Common Share Public Offering
On August 10, 2016, we issued 44.4 million common shares in an underwritten public offering. We received net
proceeds of approximately $287.6 million at a public offering price of $6.75 per common share. The proceeds from the
issuance of our common shares were used to fully redeem our senior notes due 2018.
145
NOTE 16 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss within Cliffs shareholders’ deficit and related tax
effects allocated to each are shown below as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
As of December 31, 2014:
Postretirement benefit liability
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Unrealized net loss on derivative financial instruments
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities
As of December 31, 2015:
Postretirement benefit liability
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Unrealized net gain on derivative financial instruments
Unrealized gain on securities
As of December 31, 2016:
Postretirement benefit liability
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(In Millions)
Tax
Benefit
(Provision)
After-tax
Amount
Pre-tax
Amount
$
$
$
$
$
$
(425.3) $
134.2 $
(291.1)
64.4
(25.9)
(1.3)
—
7.8
0.3
64.4
(18.1)
(1.0)
(388.1) $
142.3 $
(245.8)
(364.8) $
123.4 $
220.7
2.2
0.1
(141.8) $
—
0.4
—
123.8 $
(384.0) $
123.4 $
239.3
—
(144.7) $
123.4 $
(241.4)
220.7
2.6
0.1
(18.0)
(260.6)
239.3
(21.3)
146
The following tables reflect the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to Cliffs shareholders’
equity for December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
Postretirement
Benefit
Liability, net of
tax
Unrealized
Net Gain
(Loss) on
Securities,
net of tax
(In Millions)
Unrealized
Net Gain
(Loss) on
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Net
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Derivative
Financial
Instruments,
net of tax
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance December 31, 2015 $
(241.4) $
0.1 $
220.7 $
2.6 $
(18.0)
Other comprehensive
income (loss) before
reclassifications
Net loss reclassified from
accumulated other
comprehensive income
(loss)
Balance December 31, 2016 $
(44.8)
(0.1)
18.4
(3.3)
(29.8)
25.6
(260.6) $
—
— $
0.2
239.3 $
0.7
— $
26.5
(21.3)
Postretirement
Benefit Liability,
net of tax
Unrealized
Net Gain
(Loss) on
Securities,
net of tax
(In Millions)
Unrealized
Net Gain
(Loss) on
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Net Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Derivative
Financial
Instruments,
net of tax
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance December 31, 2014 $
(291.1) $
(1.0) $
64.4 $
(18.1) $
(245.8)
9.1
5.4
(26.4)
1.9
(10.0)
Other comprehensive
income (loss) before
reclassifications
Net loss (gain) reclassified
from accumulated other
comprehensive income
(loss)
Balance December 31, 2015 $
(241.4) $
0.1 $
220.7 $
40.6
(4.3)
182.7
18.8
2.6 $
237.8
(18.0)
Postretirement
Benefit Liability,
net of tax
Unrealized
Net Gain
(Loss) on
Securities,
net of tax
(In Millions)
Unrealized
Net Gain
(Loss) on
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Net Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Derivative
Financial
Instruments,
net of tax
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance December 31, 2013 $
(204.9) $
6.2 $
106.7 $
(20.9) $
(112.9)
(97.0)
1.3
(42.3)
(28.2)
(166.2)
Other comprehensive
income (loss) before
reclassifications
Net loss (gain) reclassified
from accumulated other
comprehensive income
(loss)
Balance December 31, 2014 $
(291.1) $
10.8
(8.5)
(1.0) $
—
31.0
64.4 $
(18.1) $
33.3
(245.8)
147
The following table reflects the details about Accumulated other comprehensive loss components related to
Cliffs shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
Details about Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income
(Loss) Components
Amount of (Gain)/Loss Reclassified
into Income
Affected Line Item in the Statement of
Consolidated Operations
(In Millions)
Year Ended
December
31, 2016
Year Ended
December
31, 2015
Year Ended
December
31, 2014
Amortization of Pension and
Postretirement Benefit Liability:
Prior service costs1
Net actuarial loss1
Curtailments/Settlements1
Effect of deconsolidation2
$
(1.5) $
(1.4) $
27.1
—
—
25.6
—
27.4
0.2
15.1
41.3
(0.7)
(1.1)
18.5
1.4
— Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax
18.8 Total before taxes
(5.8)
Income tax benefit (expense)
$
25.6
$
40.6
$
13.0 Net of taxes
Unrealized loss on marketable
securities:
Sale of marketable securities
$
— $
(2.6) $
—
—
—
— $
(2.0)
(4.6)
0.3
(4.3) $
(8.5) Net of taxes
(11.4) Other non-operating income (expense)
(0.5) Other non-operating income (expense)
(11.9) Total before taxes
3.4
Income tax benefit (expense)
Impairment
Unrealized gain on foreign
currency translation:
Dissolution of entity
Effect of deconsolidation3
Unrealized gain on derivative
financial instruments:
Treasury lock
Australian dollar foreign
exchange contracts
Canadian dollar foreign
exchange contracts
Total Reclassifications for the
Period
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.2
—
0.2
$
$
— $
182.7
182.7
$
— Other non-operating income (expense)
— Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax
— Net of taxes
1.2
$
— $
— Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt
—
—
1.2
(0.5)
0.7
$
26.9
—
26.9
(8.1)
18.9 Product revenues
26.7 Cost of goods sold and operating expenses
45.6 Total before taxes
(14.6)
Income tax benefit (expense)
18.8
$
31.0 Net of taxes
26.5
$
237.8
$
35.5
1 These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See
NOTE 7 - PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS for further information.
2 Represents Canadian postretirement benefit liabilities that were deconsolidated. See NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
for further information.
3 Represents Canadian accumulated currency translation adjustments that were deconsolidated. See NOTE 14 - DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS for further information.
148
NOTE 17 - CASH FLOW INFORMATION
A reconciliation of capital additions to cash paid for capital expenditures for the years ended December 31,
2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
(In Millions)
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
2016
Capital additions1
Cash paid for capital expenditures
Difference
Non-cash accruals
Capital leases
Total
$
$
$
$
68.5 $
69.1
(0.6) $
(0.6) $
—
(0.6) $
96.7 $
80.8
15.9 $
14.4 $
1.5
15.9 $
235.5
284.1
(48.6)
(58.5)
9.9
(48.6)
1 Includes capital additions of $68.5 million related to continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. Includes capital
additions of $72.2 million and $24.5 million related to continuing operations and discontinued operations, respectively, for the year
ended December 31, 2015. Includes capital additions of $65.5 million and $170.0 million related to continuing operations and
discontinued operations, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Cash payments for interest and income taxes in 2016, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
Taxes paid on income
Income tax refunds1
Interest paid on debt obligations2
2016
(In Millions)
2015
$
6.0 $
5.4
184.0
5.0 $
211.4
185.6
2014
47.3
54.7
176.5
1 Includes income tax refunds that relate to the deconsolidated Canadian Entities for the year ended December 31, 2014 of $47.8
million.
2 Includes interest paid on the corporate guarantees of the equipment loans that relate to discontinued operations for the years
ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 of $1.4 million, $4.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively.
NOTE 18 - RELATED PARTIES
Two of our four operating U.S. iron ore mines and our indefinitely-idled Empire mine are owned with various joint
venture partners that are integrated steel producers or their subsidiaries. We are the manager of each of the mines we
co-own and rely on our joint venture partners to make their required capital contributions and to pay for their share of
the iron ore pellets that we produce. One or more of the joint venture partners are also our customers. The following is
a summary of the mine ownership of these iron ore mines at December 31, 2016:
Mine
Empire
Tilden
Hibbing
Cliffs Natural
Resources
ArcelorMittal
U.S. Steel
79.0%
85.0%
23.0%
21.0%
—
62.3%
—
15.0%
14.7%
ArcelorMittal has a unilateral right to put its interest in the Empire mine to us, but has not exercised this right to
date. Furthermore, as part of a 2014 extension agreement between us and ArcelorMittal, which amended certain terms
of the Empire partnership agreement, certain minimum distributions of the partners’ equity amounts were required to be
made on a quarterly basis beginning in the first quarter of 2015 and continued through January 2017. The partnership
dissolved on December 31, 2016 and the partners are in discussion regarding distribution of the remaining assets and/
or equity interest, if any, in the partnership. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded distributions of
$57.5 million to ArcelorMittal under this agreement, of which $48.8 million was paid as of December 31, 2016. During
149
the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded distributions of $51.7 million under this agreement, of which $40.6
million was paid as of December 31, 2015.
Product revenues from related parties were as follows:
(In Millions)
Product revenues from related parties
$
830.1
$
671.1
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2016
2014
$ 1,011.4
Total product revenues
Related party product revenue as a percent of total product revenue
1,913.5
1,832.4
3,095.2
43.4%
36.6%
32.7%
Amounts due from related parties recorded in Accounts receivable, net and Other current assets, including trade
accounts receivable, a customer supply agreement and provisional pricing arrangements, were $73.8 million and $15.8
million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Amounts due to related parties recorded in Other current liabilities,
including provisional pricing arrangements and liabilities to related parties, were $8.7 million and $14.5 million at
December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
A supply agreement with one of our customers includes provisions for supplemental revenue or refunds based
on the customer’s annual steel pricing for the year the product is consumed in the customer’s blast furnace. The
supplemental pricing is characterized as a freestanding derivative. Refer to NOTE 13 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES for further information.
150
NOTE 19 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Cliffs
shareholders:
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
2016
$
Income from Continuing Operations
Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to
Noncontrolling Interest
Net Income from Continuing Operations
attributable to Cliffs shareholders
Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS $
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS COMMON
SHAREHOLDERS
$
$
Weighted Average Number of Shares:
Basic
Employee Stock Plans
Diluted
Earnings (loss) per Common Share Attributable to
Cliffs Common Shareholders - Basic:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Earnings (loss) per Common Share Attributable to
Cliffs Common Shareholders - Diluted:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
219.2 $
143.7 $
56.4
(25.2)
(8.6)
(25.9)
194.0 $
(19.9)
174.1 $
—
135.1 $
(884.4)
(749.3) $
(38.4)
30.5
(7,254.7)
(7,224.2)
(51.2)
174.1 $
(787.7) $
(7,275.4)
197.7
2.4
200.1
153.2
0.4
153.6
153.1
—
153.1
$
$
$
$
0.98 $
(0.10)
0.88 $
0.97 $
(0.10)
0.87 $
0.63 $
(5.77)
(5.14) $
(0.14)
(47.38)
(47.52)
0.63 $
(5.76)
(5.13) $
(0.14)
(47.38)
(47.52)
The diluted earnings per share calculation excludes 25.3 million and 25.2 million depositary shares that were
anti-dilutive for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, the diluted earnings per share
calculation also excludes 0.7 million of equity plan awards that were anti-dilutive for the year ended December 31, 2014.
NOTE 20 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Contingencies
Litigation
We are currently a party to various claims and legal proceedings incidental to our operations. If management
believes that a loss arising from these matters is probable and can reasonably be estimated, we record the amount of
the loss, or the minimum estimated liability when the loss is estimated using a range, and no point within the range is
more probable than another. As additional information becomes available, any potential liability related to these matters
is assessed and the estimates are revised, if necessary. Based on currently available information, management believes
that the ultimate outcome of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our financial
position, results of operations or cash flows. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable
rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include monetary damages, additional funding requirements or an
injunction. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur, there exists the possibility of a material impact on the financial position
and results of operations of the period in which the ruling occurs, or future periods. However, we do not believe that any
pending litigation, not covered by insurance, will result in a material liability in relation to our consolidated financial
statements.
151
Michigan Electricity Matters. On February 19, 2015, in connection with various proceedings before FERC with
respect to certain cost allocations for continued operation of the Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette, Michigan, FERC
issued an order directing MISO to submit a revised methodology for allocating SSR costs that identified the load serving
entities that require the operation of SSR units at the power plant for reliability purposes. On September 17, 2015, FERC
issued an order conditionally approving MISO’s revised allocation methodology. On September 22, 2016, FERC denied
requests for rehearing of the February 19 order, rejecting arguments that FERC did not have the authority to order refunds
in a cost allocation case and to impose retroactive surcharges to effectuate such refunds. FERC, however, suspended
any refunds and surcharges pending its review of a July 25, 2016 ALJ initial decision on the appropriate amount of SSR
compensation. Should FERC award SSR costs based on retroactive surcharges and the amount of SSR compensation
not be adjusted, our current estimate of the potential liability to the Empire and Tilden mines is approximately $13.6
million, based on MISO's June 14, 2016 refund report (as revised in MISO's July 20, 2016 errata refund report) for the
Escanaba, White Pine and Presque Isle SSRs. As of December 31, 2016, this potential liability of $13.6 million is included
in our Statements of Consolidated Financial Position as part of Other current liabilities. On November 8, 2016, Tilden
and Empire, along with various Michigan-aligned parties, filed petitions for review of FERC’s order regarding allocation
and non-cost SSR issues with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. We will continue to vigorously challenge
both the amount of the SSR compensation and the imposition of any SSR costs before FERC and the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Environmental Matters
We had environmental liabilities of $2.8 million and $3.6 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively,
including obligations for known environmental remediation exposures at active and closed mining operations and other
sites. These amounts have been recognized based on the estimated cost of investigation and remediation at each site,
and include site studies, design and implementation of remediation plans, legal and consulting fees, and post-remediation
monitoring and related activities. If the cost can only be estimated as a range of possible amounts with no specific
amount being more likely, the minimum of the range is accrued. Future expenditures are not discounted unless the
amount and timing of the cash disbursements are readily known. Potential insurance recoveries have not been reflected.
Additional environmental obligations could be incurred, the extent of which cannot be assessed. The amount of our
ultimate liability with respect to these matters may be affected by several uncertainties, primarily the ultimate cost of
required remediation and the extent to which other responsible parties contribute. Refer to NOTE 11 - ENVIRONMENTAL
AND MINE CLOSURE OBLIGATIONS for further information.
Tax Matters
The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations.
We recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which,
additional taxes will be due. If we ultimately determine that payment of these amounts is unnecessary, we reverse the
liability and recognize a tax benefit during the period in which we determine that the liability is no longer necessary. We
also recognize tax benefits to the extent that it is more likely than not that our positions will be sustained when challenged
by the taxing authorities. To the extent we prevail in matters for which liabilities have been established, or are required
to pay amounts in excess of our liabilities, our effective tax rate in a given period could be materially affected. An
unfavorable tax settlement would require use of our cash and result in an increase in our effective tax rate in the year of
resolution. A favorable tax settlement would be recognized as a reduction in our effective tax rate in the year of resolution.
Refer to NOTE 9 - INCOME TAXES for further information.
NOTE 21 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
We have evaluated subsequent events through the date of financial issuance.
152
NOTE 22 - QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
The sum of quarterly EPS may not equal EPS for the year due to discrete quarterly calculations.
Revenues from product sales and services
Sales margin
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
Loss (Income) from Continuing Operations
attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
attributable to Cliffs shareholders
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of
tax
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to
Cliffs common shareholders — Basic:
Continuing Operations
Discontinued Operations
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to
Cliffs common shareholders — Diluted:
Continuing Operations
Discontinued Operations
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
2016
Quarters
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Year
$
$
305.5 $
496.2 $
553.3 $
30.9
114.3 $
91.5
29.9 $
85.4
(25.1) $
754.0 $ 2,109.0
389.3
181.5
219.2
100.1 $
(8.8)
(16.7)
2.0
(1.7)
(25.2)
105.5
13.2
(23.1)
98.4
194.0
2.5
(0.4)
(2.7)
(19.3)
(19.9)
$
108.0 $
12.8 $
(25.8) $
79.1 $
174.1
$
$
$
$
0.61 $
0.01
0.62 $
0.07 $
—
(0.11) $
(0.01)
0.43 $
(0.08)
0.07 $
(0.12) $
0.35 $
0.98
(0.10)
0.88
0.61 $
0.07 $
(0.11) $
0.42 $
0.01
—
(0.01)
(0.08)
0.62 $
0.07 $
(0.12) $
0.34 $
0.97
(0.10)
0.87
The diluted earnings per share calculation for the third quarter of 2016 exclude equity plan awards of 3.0 million
that were anti-dilutive. There was no anti-dilution in the first, second or fourth quarter of 2016.
153
Revenues from product sales and services
Sales margin
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
Loss (Income) from Continuing Operations
attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
attributable to Cliffs shareholders
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of
tax
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS
SHAREHOLDERS
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to
Cliffs common shareholders — Basic:
Continuing Operations
Discontinued Operations
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to
Cliffs common shareholders — Diluted:
Continuing Operations
Discontinued Operations
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
2015
Quarters
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Year
$
$
446.0 $
498.1 $
593.2 $
80.8
166.8 $
57.3
(38.2) $
55.1
49.9 $
476.0 $ 2,013.3
236.5
143.7
43.3
(34.8) $
1.9
(5.0)
4.6
(2.4)
(8.6)
$
168.7 $
(43.2) $
54.5 $
(37.2) $
135.1
(928.5)
103.4
(43.9)
(23.1)
(884.4)
$
(759.8) $
(12.8)
60.2 $
10.6 $
(60.3) $
(749.3)
—
(25.6)
—
(38.4)
(772.6)
60.2
(15.0)
(60.3)
(787.7)
$
$
$
$
1.02 $
(6.06)
(5.04) $
(0.28) $
0.19 $
(0.24) $
0.67
(0.29)
(0.15)
0.39 $
(0.10) $
(0.39) $
0.94 $
(5.20)
(4.26) $
(0.28) $
0.19 $
(0.24) $
0.67
(0.29)
(0.15)
0.39 $
(0.10) $
(0.39) $
0.63
(5.77)
(5.14)
0.63
(5.76)
(5.13)
The diluted earnings per share calculation for the second, third and fourth quarter of 2015 exclude depositary
shares that were anti-dilutive ranging between 25.2 million and 25.6 million and equity plan awards ranging between 0.1
million and 0.3 million that were anti-dilutive. There was no anti-dilution in the first quarter of 2015.
154
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
Cleveland, Ohio
We have audited the accompanying statements of consolidated financial position of Cliffs Natural Resources
Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related statements of consolidated
operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and changes in equity for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2016. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15.
These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule,
when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material
respects, the information set forth therein.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on the criteria
established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of
the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 9, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's
internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
February 9, 2017
155
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
Cleveland, Ohio
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and subsidiaries
(the “Company”) as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework
(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management
is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting
based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists,
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and
performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides
a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the
company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by
the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies
and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection
of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion
or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or
detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial
reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2016, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2016 of the Company and our report dated February 9, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on those
financial statements and financial statement schedule.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
February 9, 2017
156
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be
disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including
our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure based solely on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated
under the Exchange Act. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized
that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance
of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating
the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with
the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer,
of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, our
President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures
were effective.
157
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting
as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act.
Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of
the consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations of management and
directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial
statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls
may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures
may deteriorate.
Management conducted an assessment of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2016 using the framework specified in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013), published by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on such assessment, management has
concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2016.
The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 has been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report that appears
herein.
February 9, 2017
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that occurred
during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control
over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Other Information
None.
158
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
PART III
The information required to be furnished by this Item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement for the
2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Proxy Statement") under the headings "Board Meetings and Committees -
Audit Committee", "Business Ethics Policy", "Independence and Related Party Transactions", "Information Concerning
Director Nominees” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, and is incorporated herein by
reference and made a part hereof from the Proxy Statement. The information regarding executive officers required by
this Item is set forth in Part I - Item 1. Business hereof under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant”, which
information is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
The information required to be furnished by this Item will be set forth in our Proxy Statement under the headings
“Director Compensation”, “Compensation Committee Report”, “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation” and “Executive Compensation” and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof from the
Proxy Statement.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
The information required to be furnished by this Item regarding "Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans", "Related Stockholder Matters" and "Security Ownership" will be set forth in the Proxy Statement
under the headings "Independence and Related Party Transactions", "Ownership of Equity Securities of the Company"
and "Equity Compensation Plan Information", respectively, and is incorporated herein by reference and made part hereof
from the Proxy Statement.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required to be furnished by this Item will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading
“Independence and Related Party Transactions” and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof from
the Proxy Statement.
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required to be furnished by this Item will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading
“Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and is incorporated herein by reference and made a
part hereof from the Proxy Statement.
159
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
PART IV
(a)(1) and (2) - List of Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules.
The following consolidated financial statements of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. are included at Item 8. Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data above:
•
•
Statements of Consolidated Financial Position - December 31, 2016 and 2015
Statements of Consolidated Operations - Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
•
and 2014
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015
•
•
•
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Statements of Consolidated Changes in Equity - Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statement schedule of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. is included herein in
Item 15(d) and attached as Exhibit 99(a):
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the SEC are not required
under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
(3) List of Exhibits - Refer to Exhibit Index on pages 162 - 167, which is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Exhibits listed in Item 15(a)(3) above are incorporated herein by reference.
(d) The schedule listed above in Item 15(a)(1) and (2) is attached as Exhibit 99(a) and incorporated herein by
reference.
160
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
By:
/s/ Timothy K. Flanagan
Name:
Timothy K. Flanagan
Title:
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer &
Treasurer
Date: February 9, 2017
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by
the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures
Title
Date
/s/ C. L. Goncalves
C. L. Goncalves
/s/ T. K. Flanagan
T. K. Flanagan
*
J. T. Baldwin
*
R. P. Fisher, Jr.
*
S. M. Green
*
J. A. Rutkowski, Jr.
*
E. M. Rychel
*
J. S. Sawyer
*
M. D. Siegal
*
G. Stoliar
*
D. C. Taylor
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
February 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
* The undersigned, by signing his name hereto, does sign and execute this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to a
Power of Attorney executed on behalf of the above-indicated officers and directors of the registrant and filed herewith
as Exhibit 24 on behalf of the registrant.
By:
/s/ T. K. Flanagan
(T. K. Flanagan, as Attorney-in-Fact)
161
All documents referenced below have been filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by Cliffs Natural
Resources Inc., file number 1-09844, unless otherwise indicated.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
Plan of purchase, sale, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation or succession
***Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 2, 2014, by and among Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.,
Cliffs Logan County Coal LLC, Toney’s Fork Land, LLC, Southern Eagle Land, LLC and Cliffs Logan County
Coal Terminals LLC and Coronado Coal II, LLC (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended
December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference)
***Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, effective as of December 31, 2014, by and among Cliffs
Natural Resources Inc., Cliffs Logan County Coal LLC, Toney’s Fork Land, LLC, Southern Eagle Land, LLC
and Cliffs Logan County Coal Terminals LLC and Coronado Coal II, LLC (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to Cliffs’ Form
10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference)
***Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2015, by and among Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.,
CLF PinnOak LLC and Seneca Coal Resources, LLC (filed as Exhibit 2.3 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period
ended December 31, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
Third Amended Articles of Incorporation of Cliffs (as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio on
May 13, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Cliffs’ Form 8-K on May 13, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
Regulations of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December
31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
Instruments defining rights of security holders, including indentures
Indenture between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, dated
March 17, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Cliffs’ Registration Statement on Form S-3 No. 333-186617 on
February 12, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
Form of 5.90% Notes due 2020 First Supplemental Indenture between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and
U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, dated March 17, 2010, including Form of 5.90% Notes due 2020
(filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Cliffs’ Form 8-K on March 16, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference)
Form of 4.80% Notes due 2020 Second Supplemental Indenture between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and
U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, dated September 20, 2010, including Form of 4.80% Notes due
2020 (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Cliffs’ Form 8-K on September 17, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference)
Form of 6.25% Notes due 2040 Third Supplemental Indenture between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and
U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, dated September 20, 2010, including Form of 6.25% Notes due
2040 (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Cliffs’ Form 8-K on September 17, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference)
Form of 4.875% Notes due 2021 Fourth Supplemental Indenture between Cliffs and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee, dated March 23, 2011, including Form of 4.875% Notes due 2021 (filed as Exhibit
4.1 to Cliffs’ Form 8-K on March 23, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
Fifth Supplemental Indenture between Cliffs and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, dated March
31, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 4(b) to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011 and incorporated
herein by reference)
Form of 3.95% Notes due 2018 Sixth Supplemental Indenture between Cliffs and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee, dated December 13, 2012, including form of 3.95% Notes due 2018 (filed as Exhibit
4.1 to Cliffs’ Form 8-K on December 13, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference)
Indenture between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., the guarantors parties thereto, and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee and notes collateral agent, dated March 30, 2015, including Form of 8.250% Senior
Secured Notes due 2020 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2015 and
incorporated herein by reference)
Indenture between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., the guarantors parties thereto, and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee and notes collateral agent, dated March 30, 2015, including Form of 7.75% Second
Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended
March 31, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
Indenture between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., the guarantors parties thereto, and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee and notes collateral agent, dated March 2, 2016, including Form of 8.00% 1.5 Lien
Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2016
and incorporated herein by reference)
Form of Common Share Certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended September
30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference)
162
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
Material contracts
* Form of Change in Control Severance Agreement (covering newly hired officers) (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to
Cliffs’ Form 8-K/A on September 16, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of 2016 Change in Control Severance Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Cliffs’ 10-Q for the period
ended September 30, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2012 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (effective January 1, 2012)
dated November 8, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Cliffs’ Form 8-K on November 8, 2011 and incorporated
herein by reference)
* Form of Indemnification Agreement between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and Directors (filed as Exhibit
10.5 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Nonemployee Directors’ Compensation Plan (Amended and Restated as of
December 31, 2008) (filed as Exhibit 10(nnn) to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008
and incorporated herein by reference)
* Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Nonemployee Directors’ Compensation Plan
(filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Cliffs’ Form 8-K on May 2, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Trust Agreement No. 1 (Amended and Restated effective June 1, 1997), dated June 12, 1997, by and
between Cleveland-Cliffs Inc and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, with respect to the Cleveland-
Cliffs Inc Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan, Severance Pay Plan for Key Employees and certain
executive agreements (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011
and incorporated herein by reference)
* Trust Agreement No. 1 Amendments to Exhibits, effective as of January 1, 2000, by and between Cleveland-
Cliffs Inc and KeyBank National Association, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the
period ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* First Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 1, effective September 10, 2002, by and between Cleveland-
Cliffs Inc and KeyBank National Association, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the
period ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Second Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 1 between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (f/k/a Cleveland-
Cliffs Inc) and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, entered into and effective as of December 31, 2008
(filed as Exhibit 10(y) to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein
by reference)
* Third Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 1 between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (f/k/a Cleveland-Cliffs
Inc) and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, entered into and effective as July 28, 2014 (filed as Exhibit
10.15 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Amended and Restated Trust Agreement No. 2, effective as of October 15, 2002, by and between Cleveland-
Cliffs Inc and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, with respect to Executive Agreements and
Indemnification Agreements with the Company’s Directors and certain Officers, the Company’s Severance
Pay Plan for Key Employees, and the Retention Plan for Salaried Employees (filed as Exhibit 10.14 to Cliffs’
Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Trust Agreement No. 2 between Cliffs Natural
Resources Inc. (f/k/a Cleveland-Cliffs Inc) and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, entered into and
effective as of December 31, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10(aa) to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December
31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Trust Agreement No. 2 between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
(f/k/a Cleveland-Cliffs Inc) and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, entered into and effective as of July
28, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.18 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated
herein by reference)
* Trust Agreement No. 5, dated as of October 28, 1987, by and between Cleveland-Cliffs Inc and KeyBank
National Association, Trustee, with respect to certain deferred compensation agreements (filed as Exhibit
10.16 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* First Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 5, dated as of May 12, 1989, by and between Cleveland-Cliffs
Inc and KeyBank National Association, Trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.17 to Form 10-K of Cliffs’ for the period
ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Second Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 5, dated as of April 9, 1991, by and between Cleveland-Cliffs
Inc and KeyBank National Association, Trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.18 to Form 10-K of Cliffs’ for the period
ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Third Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 5, dated as of March 9, 1992, by and between Cleveland-Cliffs
Inc and KeyBank National Association, Trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.19 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period
ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Fourth Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 5, dated November 18, 1994, by and between Cleveland-Cliffs
Inc and KeyBank National Association, Trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.20 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period
ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
163
10.20
10.21
10.22
10.23
10.24
10.25
10.26
10.27
10.28
10.29
10.30
10.31
10.32
10.33
10.34
10.35
10.36
10.37
* Fifth Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 5, dated May 23, 1997, by and between Cleveland-Cliffs Inc and
KeyBank National Association, Trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.19 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended
December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
*Sixth Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 5 between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (f/k/a Cleveland-Cliffs
Inc) and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, entered into and effective as of December 31, 2008 (filed
as Exhibit 10(hh) to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by
reference)
*Seventh Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 5 between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (f/k/a Cleveland-
Cliffs Inc) and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, entered into and effective as of July 28, 2014 (filed
as Exhibit 10.26 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by
reference)
* Trust Agreement No. 7, dated as of April 9, 1991, by and between Cleveland-Cliffs Inc and KeyBank
National Association, Trustee, with respect to the Cleveland-Cliffs Inc Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan
(filed as Exhibit 10.23 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein
by reference)
* First Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 7, by and between Cleveland-Cliffs Inc and KeyBank National
Association, Trustee, dated as of March 9, 1992 (filed as Exhibit 10.24 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period
ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Second Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 7, dated November 18, 1994, by and between Cleveland-
Cliffs Inc and KeyBank National Association, Trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.25 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period
ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Third Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 7, dated May 23, 1997, by and between Cleveland-Cliffs Inc
and KeyBank National Association, Trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.26 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended
December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Fourth Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 7, dated July 15, 1997, by and between Cleveland-Cliffs Inc
and KeyBank National Association, Trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.27 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended
December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Amendment to Exhibits to Trust Agreement No. 7, effective as of January 1, 2000, by and between
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc and KeyBank National Association, Trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K
for the period ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Sixth Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 7 between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (f/k/a Cleveland-Cliffs
Inc) and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, entered into and effective as of December 31, 2008 (filed
as Exhibit 10(oo) to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by
reference)
* Seventh Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 7 between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (f/k/a Cleveland-
Cliffs Inc) and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, entered into and effective as of July 28, 2014 (filed
as Exhibit 10.34 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by
reference)
* Trust Agreement No. 10, dated as of November 20, 1996, by and between Cleveland-Cliffs Inc and KeyBank
National Association, Trustee, with respect to the Cleveland-Cliffs Inc Nonemployee Directors’
Compensation Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.36 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011
and incorporated herein by reference)
*First Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 10 between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (f/k/a Cleveland-Cliffs
Inc) and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, entered into and effective as of December 31, 2008 (filed
as Exhibit 10(ww) to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended February 26, 2009 and incorporated herein by
reference)
* Second Amendment to Trust Agreement No. 10 between Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (f/k/a Cleveland-
Cliffs Inc) and KeyBank National Association, Trustee, entered into and effective as of July 28, 2014 (filed
as Exhibit 10.45 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by
reference)
* Letter Agreement, by and between Lourenco Goncalves and Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., signed as of
September 11, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Cliffs’ Form 8-K/A on September 16, 2014 and incorporated
herein by reference)
* Cleveland-Cliffs Inc and Subsidiaries Management Performance Incentive Plan Summary, effective
January 1, 2004 (filed as Exhibit 10.47 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011 and
incorporated herein by reference)
* Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2012 Executive Management Performance Incentive Plan effective March
13, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Cliffs’ Form 8-K on May 14, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2012 Incentive Equity Plan effective March 13, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
Cliffs Form 8-K on May 14, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference)
164
10.38
10.39
10.40
10.41
10.42
10.43
10.44
10.45
10.46
10.47
10.48
10.49
10.50
10.51
10.52
10.53
10.54
10.55
* First Amendment to Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2012 Incentive Plan effective September 11, 2012 (filed
as Exhibit 10.2 to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012 and incorporated herein by
reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Restricted Share Unit Award Memorandum and Restricted Share
Unit Award Agreement under the 2012 Incentive Equity Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.77 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for
the period ended December 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
Cliffs’ Form 8-K on August 4, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan Restricted Share
Unit Award Memorandum (Graduated Vesting 50% - July 2014 Grant) and Restricted Share Unit Award
Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.64 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and
incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan Restricted Share
Unit Award Memorandum (3-Year Vesting – July 2014 Grant) and Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement
(filed as Exhibit 10.65 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein
by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan Performance
Share Award Memorandum (3-Year Vesting – July 2014 Grant) and Performance Share Award Agreement
(filed as Exhibit 10.66 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein
by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan Non-Qualified
Stock Option Award Memorandum (2014 Grant) and Stock Option Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2
to Cliffs’ Form 8-K/A on September 16, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan Performance
Unit Award Memorandum (2014 Grant) and Performance Unit Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to
Cliffs’ Form 8-K/A on September 16, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan Non-Qualified
Stock Option Award Memorandum (3-Year Vesting – January 2015 Grant) and Stock Option Award
Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.69 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and
incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan Restricted Share
Unit Award Memorandum (Graduated Vesting 33% - January 2015 Grant) and Restricted Share Unit Award
Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.70 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and
incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan Performance
Share Award Memorandum (3-Year Vesting – January 2015 Grant) and Performance Share Award
Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.71 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and
incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan Restricted Share
Unit Award Memorandum (Graduated Vesting 33% - February 2015 Grant) and Restricted Share Unit Award
Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.72 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and
incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan Performance
Share Award Memorandum (3 year Vesting – February 2015 Grant) and Restricted Share Unit Award
Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.73 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and
incorporated herein by reference)
* Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Cliffs’
Form 8-K on May 21, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit
Award Memorandum (Vesting on December 15, 2017) and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed
as Exhibit 10.1 to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by
reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Cash Retention Award
Memorandum (Vesting February 2017) and Cash Retention Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Cliffs’
Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit
Award Memorandum (Vesting May 2018) and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.61
to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit
Award Memorandum (Vesting December 31, 2018) and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed as
Exhibit 10.1 to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference)
165
10.56
10.57
10.58
10.59
10.60
10.61
10.62
10.63
10.64
10.65
12
21
23
24
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Cash Incentive Award
Memorandum (TSR) (Vesting December 31, 2018) and Cash Incentive Award Agreement (TSR) (filed as
Exhibit 10.2 to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Form of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Cash Incentive Award
Memorandum (EBITDA) (January 1, 20XX - December 31, 20XX) and Cash Incentive Award Agreement
(EBITDA) (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2016 and incorporated
herein by reference)
* Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan (as Amended and Restated effective
December 1, 2006) dated December 31, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10(mmm) to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period
ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference)
* Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Cliffs’ Registration
Statement on Form S-8 on August 20, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
** Pellet Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated and effective as of April 10, 2002, by and among
The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company, Cliffs Mining Company, Northshore Mining Company, Northshore Sales
Company, International Steel Group Inc., ISG Cleveland Inc., and ISG Indiana Harbor Inc. (filed as Exhibit
10.84 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
** First Amendment to Pellet Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated and effective December 16, 2004 by
and among The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company, Cliffs Mining Company, Northshore Mining Company, Cliffs
Sales Company (formerly known as Northshore Sales Company), International Steel Group Inc., ISG
Cleveland Inc. and ISG Indiana Harbor (filed as Exhibit 10.85 to Cliffs’ Form 10-K for the period ended
December 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
** 2011 Omnibus Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2011 and effective as of March 31, 2011, by and among
ArcelorMittal USA LLC, as successor in interest to Ispat Inland Inc., ArcelorMittal Cleveland Inc. (formerly
known as ISG Cleveland Inc.), ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor LLC (formerly known as ISG Indiana Harbor
Inc.) and Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company, Cliffs Mining Company,
Northshore Mining Company and Cliffs Sales Company (formerly known as Northshore Sales Company)
(filed as Exhibit 10(a) to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011 and incorporated herein by
reference)
** Pellet Sale and Purchase Agreement, effective as of October 31, 2016, by and among Cliffs Natural
Resources Inc., The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company and Cliffs Mining Company and ArcelorMittal USA LLC
(filed as Exhibit 10.72 to Cliffs’ Registration Statement on Form S-1/A No. 333-212054 on August 4, 2016
and incorporated herein by reference)
Syndicated Facility Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2015, by and among Bank of America, N.A., as
Administrative Agent and Australian Security Trustee, the Lenders that are Parties hereto, as the Lenders,
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., as Parent and a Borrower, and the Subsidiaries of Parent Party hereto, as
Borrowers (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2015 and incorporated
herein by reference)
First Amendment to Syndicated Facility Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2016, to that certain Syndicated
Facility Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2015, by and among Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative
Agent and Australian Security Trustee, the Lenders that are Parties hereto, as the Lenders, Cliffs Natural
Resources Inc., as Parent and a Borrower, and the Subsidiaries of Parent Party hereto, as Borrowers (filed
as Exhibit 10.3 to Cliffs’ Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference)
Ratio of Earnings To Combined Fixed Charges And Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements (filed herewith)
Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith)
Power of Attorney (filed herewith)
Certification Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002, signed and dated by Lourenco Goncalves as of February 9, 2017 (filed herewith)
Certification Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002, signed and dated by Timothy K. Flanagan as of February 9, 2017 (filed herewith)
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002, signed and dated by Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., as of February 9, 2017 (filed herewith)
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002, signed and dated by Timothy K. Flanagan, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., as of February 9, 2017 (filed herewith)
95
99(a)
Mine Safety Disclosures (filed herewith)
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (filed herewith)
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
166
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
_______________
*
**
***
Indicates management contract or other compensatory arrangement.
Confidential treatment requested and/or approved as to certain portions, which portions have been
omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Certain immaterial schedules and exhibits to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to the provisions
of Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(2). A copy of any of the omitted schedules and exhibits will be furnished
to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
167
Ratio of Earnings To Combined Fixed Charges
And Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements
(In Millions)
2016
Year Ended December 31,
2014
2015
2013
Exhibit 12
2012
Consolidated pretax income (loss) from
continuing operations
Undistributed earnings of non-consolidated
affiliates
Amortization of capitalized interest
Interest expense
Acceleration of debt issuance costs
Interest portion of rental expense
Total Earnings
Interest expense
Acceleration of debt issuance costs
Interest portion of rental expense
Preferred Stock dividend requirements
Fixed Charges Requirements
Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend
Requirements
$
207.0
$
313.1
$
(19.7)
$ 1,190.9
$ 1,105.4
—
0.1
201.1
35.6
0.3
444.1
201.1
35.6
0.3
—
237.0
237.0
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(0.1)
(9.9)
(74.4)
(404.8)
0.3
230.0
11.3
0.9
555.5
230.0
11.3
0.9
38.4
0.3
178.3
3.6
2.3
154.9
178.3
3.6
2.3
51.2
$
$
2.3
189.9
—
2.1
$ 1,310.8
$
189.9
$
$
—
2.1
48.7
3.7
208.8
0.2
2.8
916.1
208.8
0.2
2.8
—
280.6
$
235.4
$
240.7
$
211.8
280.6
$
235.4
$
240.7
$
211.8
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED
CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK
DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS
1.9
(A) For the year ended December 31, 2014, there was a deficiency of earnings to cover the fixed charges of
$235.4 million.
5.4
2.0
1.9
5.4
2.0
(A)
(A)
4.3
4.3
SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2016
Exhibit 21
Name
Cleveland-Cliffs International Holding Company
Cliffs Finance US LLC
Cliffs Finance Lux SCS
Cliffs (Gibraltar) Holdings Limited
Cliffs (Gibraltar) Holdings Limited Luxembourg S.C.S.
Cliffs (Gibraltar) Limited
Cliffs Mining Company
Cliffs Minnesota Mining Company
Cliffs Natural Resources Pty Ltd.
Cliffs Natural Resources Holdings Pty Ltd.
Cliffs Natural Resources Luxembourg S.a.r.l
Cliffs TIOP Holding, LLC
Cliffs TIOP, Inc.
Cliffs UTAC Holding LLC
The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company
Tilden Mining Company L.C.
Cliffs Empire, Inc.
Cliffs Empire Holding, LLC
Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad Company
Northshore Mining Company
Cliffs' Effective
Ownership
100%
Place of Incorporation
Delaware, USA
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
85%
100%
100%
100%
100%
Ohio, USA
Luxembourg
Gibraltar
Luxembourg
Gibraltar
Delaware, USA
Delaware, USA
WA Australia
WA Australia
Luxembourg
Delaware, USA
Michigan, USA
Delaware, USA
Ohio, USA
Michigan, USA
Michigan, USA
Michigan, USA
Michigan, USA
Michigan, USA
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Exhibit 23
We consent to the incorporation by reference in:
Registration Statement No. 333-56661 on Form S-8 (as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No.1)
pertaining to the Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company Retirement Savings Plan and
the related prospectus;
Registration Statement No. 333-64008 on Form S-8 (as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No.1 and
Post-Effective Amendment No.2) pertaining to the Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Nonemployee Directors’
Compensation Plan (as amended and restated as of January 1, 2004);
Registration Statement No. 333-184620 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2012
Incentive Equity Plan;
Registration Statement No. 333-197687 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended
and Restated 2012 Incentive Equity Plan;
Registration Statement No. 333-197688 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2014
Nonemployee Directors’ Compensation Plan;
Registration Statement No. 333-204369 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2015
Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan;
Registration Statement No. 333-206487 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 2015
Employee Stock Purchase Plan; and
Registration Statement No. 333-210954 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Amended
and Restated 2014 Nonemployee Directors' Compensation Plan.
of our reports dated February 9, 2017, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule
of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., and the effectiveness of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.’s internal control over financial
reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. for the year ended
December 31, 2016.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
February 9, 2017
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Exhibit 24
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Directors and officers of Cliffs Natural
Resources Inc., an Ohio corporation ("Company"), hereby constitute and appoint C. Lourenco Goncalves, P. Kelly
Tompkins, James D. Graham and Timothy K. Flanagan, and each of them, their true and lawful attorney or attorneys-
in-fact, with full power of substitution and revocation, for them and in their name, place and stead, to sign on their
behalf as a Director or officer of the Company, or both, as the case may be, an Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, and to
sign any and all amendments to such Annual Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney or attorneys-in-
fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or attorneys-in-fact or any of them or their substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Executed as of the 8th day of February, 2017.
/s/ C. L. Goncalves
C. L. Goncalves,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ T. K. Flanagan
T. K. Flanagan,
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer &
Treasurer
/s/ J. T. Baldwin
J. T. Baldwin, Director
/s/ S. M. Green
S. M. Green, Director
/s/ E. M. Rychel
E. M. Rychel, Director
/s/ M. D. Siegal
M. D. Siegal, Director
/s/ D. C. Taylor
D. C. Taylor, Director
/s/ R. P. Fisher, Jr.
R. P. Fisher, Jr., Director
/s/ J. A. Rutkowski, Jr.
J. A. Rutkowski, Jr., Director
/s/ J. S. Sawyer
J. S. Sawyer, Director
/s/ G. Stoliar
G. Stoliar, Director
I, Lourenco Goncalves, certify that:
CERTIFICATION
Exhibit 31.1
1.
2.
3.
4.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which
such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report,
fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control
over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)), for the registrant and
have:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and
procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to
the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over
financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and
procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting
that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal
quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to
materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of
internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the
registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
(b)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal
control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 9, 2017
By:
/s/ Lourenco Goncalves
Lourenco Goncalves
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
I, Timothy K. Flanagan, certify that:
CERTIFICATION
Exhibit 31.2
1.
2.
3.
4.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which
such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report,
fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control
over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)), for the registrant and
have:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and
procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to
the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over
financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented
in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures,
as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that
occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in
the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially
affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of
internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the
registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
(b)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control
over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 9, 2017
By:
/s/ Timothy K. Flanagan
Timothy K. Flanagan
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer &
Treasurer
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.1
In connection with the Annual Report of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the
period ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
“Form 10-K”), I, Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to such
officer’s knowledge:
(1)
(2)
The Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and
The information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
condition and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods
expressed in the Form 10-K.
Date:
February 9, 2017
By:
/s/ Lourenco Goncalves
Lourenco Goncalves
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.2
In connection with the Annual Report of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the
period ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
“Form 10-K”), I,Timothy K. Flanagan, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer of the Company,
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
that, to such officer’s knowledge:
(1)
(2)
The Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and
The information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
condition and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods
expressed in the Form 10-K.
Date:
February 9, 2017
By:
/s/ Timothy K. Flanagan
Timothy K. Flanagan
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer &
Treasurer
Mine Safety Disclosures
Exhibit 95
The operation of our mines located in the United States is subject to regulation by MSHA under the FMSH
Act. MSHA inspects these mines on a regular basis and issues various citations and orders when it believes a violation
has occurred under the FMSH Act. We present information below regarding certain mining safety and health citations
that MSHA has issued with respect to our mining operations. In evaluating this information, consideration should be
given to factors such as: (i) the number of citations and orders will vary depending on the size of the mine; (ii) the
number of citations issued will vary from inspector to inspector and mine to mine, and (iii) citations and orders can be
contested and appealed and, in that process, are often reduced in severity and amount, and are sometimes dismissed.
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, each operator of a coal or other mine is required to include certain mine safety
results within its periodic reports filed with the SEC. As required by the reporting requirements included in §1503(a)
of the Dodd-Frank Act, we present the following items regarding certain mining safety and health matters, for the period
presented, for each of our mine locations that are covered under the scope of the Dodd-Frank Act:
(A) The total number of violations of mandatory health or safety standards that could significantly and
substantially contribute to the cause and effect of a coal or other mine safety or health hazard under
section 104 of the FMSH Act (30 U.S.C. 814) for which the operator received a citation from MSHA;
(B) The total number of orders issued under section 104(b) of the FMSH Act (30 U.S.C. 814(b));
(C) The total number of citations and orders for unwarrantable failure of the mine operator to comply with
mandatory health or safety standards under section 104(d) of the FMSH Act (30 U.S.C. 814(d));
(D) The total number of imminent danger orders issued under section 107(a) of the FMSH Act (30 U.S.C.
817(a));
(E) The total dollar value of proposed assessments from MSHA under the FMSH Act (30 U.S.C. 801 et seq.);
(F) Legal actions pending before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission involving such
coal or other mine as of the last day of the period;
(G) Legal actions initiated before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission involving such
coal or other mine during the period; and
(H) Legal actions resolved before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission involving such
coal or other mine during the period.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, our U.S. mine locations did not receive any flagrant violations
under Section 110(b)(2) of the FMSH Act and no written notices of a pattern of violations, or the potential to have a
pattern of such violations, under section 104(e) of the FMSH Act. In addition, there were no mining-related fatalities
at any of our U.S. mine locations during this same period.
Following is a summary of the information listed above for the year ended December 31, 2016:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
(H)
Year Ended December 31, 2016
Section
104 S&S
Citations
Section
104(b)
Orders
Section
104(d)
Orders
63
29
10
5
21
9
5
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
14
—
2
—
1
—
—
Section
107(a)
Citations
&
Orders
Total Dollar
Value of
MSHA
Proposed
Assessments
(1)
Legal
Actions
Pending
as of
Last Day
of Period
Legal
Actions
Initiated
During
Period
Legal
Actions
Resolved
During
Period
— $
560,419
— $
283,089
— $
— $
84,613
747
1
$
322,569
— $
104,203
— $
1,268
25 (2)
11 (3)
7 (4)
—
5 (5)
2 (6)
7 (7)
18
5
2
—
11
2
—
3
3
6
—
28
—
7
Mine Name/ MSHA ID No.
Operation
Tilden / 2000422
Empire / 2001012
Iron Ore
Iron Ore
Northshore Plant / 2100831
Iron Ore
Northshore Mine / 2100209
Iron Ore
Hibbing / 2101600
United Taconite Plant /
2103404
United Taconite Mine /
2103403
Iron Ore
Iron Ore
Iron Ore
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Amounts included under the heading “Total Dollar Value of MSHA Proposed Assessments” are the total dollar amounts for proposed
assessments received from MSHA on or before December 31, 2016.
This number consists of 14 pending legal actions related to contests of proposed penalties referenced in Subpart C of FMSH Act's
procedural rules, 9 pending legal actions related to contests of citations and orders referenced in Subpart B of FMSH Act's procedural
rules, 1 appeal of judges' decisions or orders to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission referenced in Subpart H of
FMSH Act's procedural rules, and 1 pending legal action related to complaints of discharge, discrimination, or interference referenced in
Subpart E of FMSH Act's procedural rules.
This number consists of 10 pending legal actions related to contests of proposed penalties referenced in Subpart C of FMSH Act's
procedural rules, and 1 pending legal action related to complaints of discharge, discrimination, or interference referenced in Subpart E
of FMSH Act's procedural rules.
This number consists of 7 pending legal actions related to contests of proposed penalties referenced in Subpart C of FMSH Act's procedural
rules.
This number consists of 4 pending legal actions related to contests of proposed penalties referenced in Subpart C of FMSH Act's procedural
rules, and 1 pending legal action related to contests of citations and orders referenced in Subpart B of FMSH Act's procedural rules.
This number consists of 2 pending legal actions related to contests of citations and orders referenced in Subpart B of FMSH Act's procedural
rules.
This number consists of 4 pending legal actions related to contests of citations and orders referenced in Subpart B of FMSH Act's procedural
rules, 2 pending legal actions related to contests of proposed penalties referenced in Subpart C of FMSH Act's procedural rules, and 1
pending legal action related to complaints of discharge, discrimination, or interference referenced in Subpart E of FMSH Act's procedural
rules.
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and Subsidiaries
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(Dollars in Millions)
Exhibit 99(a)
Additions
Balance at
Beginning
of Year
Charged
to Cost
and
Expenses
Charged
to Other
Accounts
Acquisition
Deductions
Balance at
End of Year
$
$
$
$
$
$
3,372.5
7.1
1,152.3
$
$
$
— $
(40.6)
$
— $
5.1
(7.1)
$
$
$
54.3
7.1
$
$
$
2,165.9
— $
(12.6)
$
849.6
$
634.9
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
2.2
$
3,334.8
— $
—
— $
3,372.5
— $
7.1
319.6
$
1,152.3
— $
—
Classification
Year Ended December 31, 2016:
Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance
Accounts Receivable Allowance
Year Ended December 31, 2015:
Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance
Accounts Receivable Allowance
Year Ended December 31, 2014:
Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance
Accounts Receivable Allowance
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Name
Position
Lourenco Goncalves
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
P. Kelly Tompkins
Terry G. Fedor
Timothy K. Flanagan
James D. Graham
Maurice D. Harapiak
Terrence R. Mee
Clifford T. Smith
DIRECTORS
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Executive Vice President, United States Iron Ore
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary
Executive Vice President, Human Resources
Executive Vice President, Global Commercial
Executive Vice President, Business Development
Age
59
60
52
39
51
55
47
57
Service
3
7
6
9
10
3
20
13
Lourenco Goncalves 4 (2014)
Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
John T. Baldwin 1 (2014)
Former Chief Financial Officer
Worthington Industries, Inc.
Eric M. Rychel 1 (2016)
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer & Treasurer
Aleris Corporation
James S. Sawyer 1 (2014)
Former Chief Financial Offer
Praxair Inc.
Committees Served
1 – Audit
2 – Compensation and Organization
3 – Governance and Nominating
4 – Strategy
Year in parentheses indicates year he/she became a director.
Robert P. Fisher, Jr. 1,2 (2014)
President and Chief Executive Officer
George F. Fisher, Inc.
Michael D. Siegal 1,3 (2014)
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Olympic Steel, Inc.
Former Managing Director
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Susan M. Green 3 (2007)
Former Deputy General Counsel
U.S. Congress Office of Compliance
Joseph A. Rutkowski, Jr. 2,4 (2014)
Principal
Winyah Advisors LLC
Former Executive Vice President
Nucor Corporation
Gabriel Stoliar 2,3,4 (2014)
Managing Partner
Studio Investimentos
Former Executive Vice President
Vale S.A.
Douglas C. Taylor 2,3 (2014)
Former Managing Partner
Casablanca Capital LP
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Name
Position
Lourenco Goncalves
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
P. Kelly Tompkins
Terry G. Fedor
Timothy K. Flanagan
James D. Graham
Maurice D. Harapiak
Terrence R. Mee
Clifford T. Smith
DIRECTORS
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Executive Vice President, United States Iron Ore
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary
Executive Vice President, Human Resources
Executive Vice President, Global Commercial
Executive Vice President, Business Development
Age
59
60
52
39
51
55
47
57
Service
3
7
6
9
10
3
20
13
Lourenco Goncalves 4 (2014)
Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
John T. Baldwin 1 (2014)
Former Chief Financial Officer
Worthington Industries, Inc.
Eric M. Rychel 1 (2016)
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer & Treasurer
Aleris Corporation
James S. Sawyer 1 (2014)
Former Chief Financial Offer
Praxair Inc.
Committees Served
1 – Audit
2 – Compensation and Organization
3 – Governance and Nominating
4 – Strategy
Year in parentheses indicates year he/she became a director.
Robert P. Fisher, Jr. 1,2 (2014)
President and Chief Executive Officer
George F. Fisher, Inc.
Michael D. Siegal 1,3 (2014)
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Olympic Steel, Inc.
Former Managing Director
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Susan M. Green 3 (2007)
Former Deputy General Counsel
U.S. Congress Office of Compliance
Joseph A. Rutkowski, Jr. 2,4 (2014)
Principal
Winyah Advisors LLC
Former Executive Vice President
Nucor Corporation
Gabriel Stoliar 2,3,4 (2014)
Managing Partner
Studio Investimentos
Former Executive Vice President
Vale S.A.
Douglas C. Taylor 2,3 (2014)
Former Managing Partner
Casablanca Capital LP
About Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. is a leading mining and natural resources company. Founded in 1847, Cliffs Natural
Resources Inc. is recognized in the United States as one of its oldest companies, and the largest and oldest
independent iron ore mining company. It is a major supplier of iron ore pellets to the North American steel industry
from its mines and pellet plants located in Michigan and Minnesota. Cliffs also operates an iron ore mining complex
in Western Australia.
During 2017, Cliffs is celebrating its 170th year as company. The significance of this milestone cannot be over-
emphasized. How many U.S. companies can state that they have been instrumental in building and shaping our
society since 1847? Not many. Today as a stronger company, Cliffs is well positioned to reap the benefits of its
strategy implemented over the past two years.
Driven by the core values of safety, social, environmental and capital stewardship, Cliffs’ employees endeavor to
provide all stakeholders operating and financial transparency.
Investor and Corporate Information
CORPORATE OFFICE
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
200 Public Square, Suite 3300
Cleveland, OH 44114-2315
P: 216.694.5700 F: 216.694.5385
cliffsnaturalresources.com
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Wells Fargo Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 64874
St. Paul, MN 55164-0874
800.468.9716
ANNUAL MEETING
Date: April 25, 2017
Time: 11:30 a.m. EDT
Place: North Point
901 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
ADDITIONAL INFO
Cliffs’ Annual Report to the SEC (Form 10-K) and proxy statement are available on Cliffs’ website.
Copies of these reports and other Company publications also may be obtained by sending requeststo the attention of
Investor Relations at the corporate office, or by telephone at 800.214.0739, or e-mail: ir@cliffsnr.com.
COMMON SHARES
NYSE: CLF
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