Form 11-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 11-K

 

 

FOR ANNUAL REPORTS OF EMPLOYEE STOCK

REPURCHASE SAVINGS AND SIMILAR PLANS

PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2009

OR

 

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 1-8944

 

 

(Full Title of the plan and the address of the plan,

if different from that of issuer named below)

NORTHSHORE MINING COMPANY

and

SILVER BAY POWER COMPANY

RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

 

 

10 OUTER DRIVE

SILVER BAY, MINNESOTA 55614

(Name of Issuer of the securities held pursuant to

the Plan and the address of its principal executive office)

CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC., 200 Public Square, Suite 3300,

Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2513

 

 

 


Table of Contents

NORTHSHORE MINING COMPANY

AND

SILVER BAY POWER COMPANY

RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN (“Plan”)

Audited financial statements and supplemental schedule for the Plan prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, are filed herewith in lieu of an audited statement of financial condition and statement of income and changes in plan equity.

INDEX

 

     Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   1

Financial Statements:

  

Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits

   2

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

   3

Notes to Financial Statements

   4 - 13

Supplemental Schedule:

  

Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes at End of Year

   14


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Plan Administrator

    Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company Retirement Savings Plan

Cleveland, Ohio

We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits of the NORTHSHORE MINING COMPANY AND SILVER BAY POWER COMPANY RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Plan is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company Retirement Savings Plan as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets held for investment purposes at end of year as of December 31, 2009, is presented for the purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements, but is supplemental information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ MEADEN & MOORE, LTD.

Certified Public Accountants

June 22, 2010

Cleveland, Ohio


Table of Contents

STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

     December 31
     2009     2008

ASSETS

    

Receivable - Employee contributions

   $ —        $ 148,132

Receivable - Employer contributions

     —          62,220

Receivable - Employer discretionary contribution

     —          7,245,207
              

Total Receivables

     —          7,455,559

Investments:

    

Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc. Common Stock

     28,730,859        10,166,710

T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund

     5,171,197        4,118,171

T. Rowe Price Equity Spectrum Income Fund

     7,248,653        6,678,528

T. Rowe Price New America Growth Fund

     4,421,693        2,885,693

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

     6,662,767        5,360,055

T. Rowe Price Prime Reserve Fund

     5,524,049        3,905,388

T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund

     5,342,665        3,466,674

T. Rowe Price Stable Value Fund

     5,177,991        4,660,963

T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund

     5,965,656        3,638,763

T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund

     2,871,765        1,865,213

T. Rowe Price Boston Co Small Cap Value

     378,506        254,476

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 Fund

     62,789        40,063

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund

     357,787        205,195

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund

     845,307        624,849

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund

     1,206,258        708,031

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund

     304,477        87,618

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund

     173,867        40,470

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund

     799,750        402,689

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund

     587,466        192,344

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund

     413,730        140,280

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund

     88,697        36,136

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund

     12,876        5,573

T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund

     180,146        144,628

Participant Loans

     1,966,945        1,744,914
              

Total Investments

     84,495,896        51,373,424
              

Total Assets

     84,495,896        58,828,983

LIABILITIES

    

Total Liabilities

     —          —  
              

Net Assets Available for Benefits (at Fair Value)

     84,495,896        58,828,983

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

     (155,493     43,692
              

Net Assets Available for Benefits (at Contract Value)

   $ 84,340,403      $ 58,872,675
              

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2009    2008  

Additions to Net Assets Attributed to:

     

Contributions:

     

Employer

   $ 757,478    $ 8,061,466   

Employee

     3,075,703      3,568,576   

Rollover

     14,928      189,351   
               
     3,848,109      11,819,393   

Interest and dividend income

     1,337,825      2,137,921   

Net appreciation on investments

     26,768,588      —     
               

Total Additions

     31,954,522      13,957,314   

Deductions from Net Assets Attributed to:

     

Benefits paid to participants

     6,486,770      3,364,881   

Net depreciation on investments

     —        28,714,984   

Administrative expenses

     24      6,856   
               

Total Deductions

     6,486,794      32,086,721   
               

Net Increase (Decrease)

     25,467,728      (18,129,407

Net Assets Available for Benefits:

     

Beginning of Year

     58,872,675      77,002,082   
               

End of Year

   $ 84,340,403    $ 58,872,675   
               

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

1

Description of Plan

The following description of The Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company Retirement Savings Plan provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan document for a complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

General:

The Plan, which began October 1, 1994, is a defined contribution plan covering all employees of Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company who meet the eligibility requirements. It is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The Plan has been restated, effective January 1, 2007. The Plan was last amended in 2009 as described under employer contributions.

Eligibility:

All full-time employees of the Companies are eligible to participate in the Plan.

Contributions:

Employee deferral - Participants may elect a portion of their compensation between 1% to 35%, to be contributed to the Plan by the Company.

Employer Contributions - Effective April 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 for salary employees and April 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 for hourly employees, the match was as follows: a matching contribution equal to 100% of participant pre-tax contributions up to 3% of participant’s eligible earnings for the Plan year and 50% of the participant’s eligible earnings in excess of 3% not to exceed 5%. For the period July 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, there was no match paid for salary employees. Prior to April 1, 2009, the Company contributed a matching contribution equal to 50% of Participant pre-tax contributions not in excess of 6% of participant’s eligible earnings for the Plan year. An additional matching amount may be contributed by the Company based on the excess of 5% of the Company’s pre-tax earnings over the minimum matching contribution.

The Company may also contribute for any Plan year additional matching amounts (as limited) as shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company.

Contributions are subject to limitations on annual additions and other limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code as defined in the Plan agreement.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

1

Description of Plan, Continued

 

Participants’ Accounts:

401(k) Accounts - Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s elective contributions, employer matching contributions, earnings and losses thereon. Plan participants are allocated participation in the fund(s) based on cash value. Under the cash value method, total monthly earnings are divided by the total value of the fund(s) to obtain a ratio, which is then multiplied by each participant’s account balance in the fund(s) at the beginning of the month.

Rollover contributions from other Plans are also accepted, providing certain specified conditions are met.

Vesting:

All participants are 100% vested in elective deferrals, rollover contributions and company matching and discretionary contributions made to the Plan.

Participants’ Loans:

Loans are permitted under certain circumstances and are subject to limitations. Participants may borrow from their fund accounts, minimum of $1,000, up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their account balance. Loans are repaid over a period not to exceed 5 years with exceptions for the purchase of a primary residence.

The loans are secured by the balance in the participant’s account and bear interest at rates commercially reasonable that are published on the first day of the month proceeding the month the loan was granted. Principal and interest are paid ratably through monthly payroll deductions.

Payment of Benefits:

Upon termination of service by reason of retirement, disability, or other reasons, a participant has the option to keep their funds in the Plan without option of contribution until age 70 1/2 or receive a lump sum equal to the value of his or her account. Upon death, a participant’s beneficiaries receives a lump sum amount equal to the value of his or her account.

Hardship Withdrawals:

Hardship withdrawals are permitted in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

1

Description of Plan, Continued

 

Investment Options:

Upon enrollment in the Plan, a participant may direct his or her contributions in any or all of the investment options offered by the Plan.

 

2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting:

The Plan’s transactions are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. All investment securities are stated at fair value as measured by quoted prices in active markets. Shares of mutual funds are valued at the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year end. Investments include participant loans valued at their outstanding balances, which approximates fair value.

As described under current accounting guidance, investment contracts held by a defined-contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value. However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined-contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. The Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits presents the fair value of the investment contracts as well as the adjustment of the fully benefit-responsive investment contracts from fair value to contract value. The Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits is prepared on a contract value basis.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Use of Estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Subsequent Events:

The Plan evaluates events occurring subsequent to the date of the financial statements in determining the accounting for and disclosure of transactions and events that affect the financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued

 

Administrative Fees:

The Plan pays the trustee fees, audit fees and other expenses of the Plan, unless the Company elects to pay all or part of these expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company paid all such expenses, except for $24 and $6,856, respectively. Other administrative expenses of the Plan, such as salaries and use of facilities are paid by the Company.

Plan Termination:

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA.

Reclassifications:

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

 

3

Tax Status

On March 23, 2009, the Internal Revenue Service stated that the Plan was in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan has been amended since that date. The Plan sponsor believes that the Plan is being operated in accordance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

4

Investments

The Plan’s funds are invested in Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc. common stock and mutual funds, through T. Rowe Price. Investments which constitute more than 5% of the Plan’s net assets are:

 

     2009    2008

Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc. Common Stock

   $ 28,730,859    $ 10,166,710

T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund

   $ 5,171,197    $ 4,118,171

T. Rowe Price Equity Spectrum Income Fund

   $ 7,248,653    $ 6,678,528

T. Rowe Price New America Growth Fund

   $ 4,421,693      NA

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

   $ 6,662,767    $ 5,360,055

T. Rowe Price Prime Reserve Fund

   $ 5,524,049    $ 3,905,388

T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund

   $ 5,342,665    $ 3,466,674

T. Rowe Price Stable Value Fund

   $ 5,022,498    $ 4,704,655

T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund

   $ 5,965,656    $ 3,638,763

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

4

Investments, Continued

 

Net realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of investments, as determined by quoted market prices, is as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31
 
     2009    2008  

Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc. Common Stock

   $ 14,170,716    $ (11,788,048

Mutual Funds

     12,597,872      (16,926,936
               
   $ 26,768,588    $ (28,714,984
               

 

5

Benefit Responsive Contract

Stable value investment contracts are valued at fair value and adjusted to contract value which is cost plus accrued income minus redemptions, because these investments have fully benefit-responsive features. The fair value of the investment contract at December 31, 2009 and 2008, was $5,177,991 and $4,660,963, respectively, and the contract value of the investment contract at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $5,022,498 and $4,704,655, respectively.

The Plan holds a stable value investment contract with T. Rowe Price Trust Company, the trustee. The investment contract consists of a portfolio of underlying assets owned by the Plan, and a wrap contract issued by a financially responsible third party, typically a bank, insurance company, or other financial services institution. The issuer of the wrap contract provides for unscheduled withdrawals for the contract at contract value, regardless of the value of the underlying assets, in order to fund permitted participant-initiated withdrawals from the trust.

Investment contracts provide for a variable crediting rate, which typically resets at least quarterly, and the issuer of the wrap contract provides assurance that future adjustments to the crediting rate cannot result in a crediting rate less than zero. The crediting rate is based, in part, on the relationship between the contract value and the market value of the underlying assets, as well as previously realized gains and losses on underlying assets. The crediting rate will generally reflect, over time, movement in prevailing interest rates. However, at times, the crediting rate may be more or less than prevailing rates or the actual income earned on the underlying assets.

As described in Note 2, because the stable value investment contract is fully benefit-responsive, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits attributable to the stable value investment contract. Contract value, as reported by T. Rowe Price Trust Company, represents cost plus accrued income minus redemptions. Participants may ordinarily direct the withdrawal or transfer of all or a portion of their investment at contract value.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

5

Benefit Responsive Contract, Continued

 

The existence of certain conditions can limit the Plan’s ability to transact at contract value with the issuers of its investment contracts. Specifically, any event outside the normal operation of the Plan which causes a withdrawal from an investment contract may result in a negative market value adjustments with respect to such withdrawal. Examples of such events include, but are not limited to, partial or complete legal termination of the Plan, tax disqualification of the Plan, and certain Plan amendments if issuers’ consent is not obtained. As of December 31, 2009, the occurrence of an event outside normal operation of the trust which would cause a withdrawal from an investment contract is not considered to be probable.

In addition to the limitations noted above, issuers of investment contracts have certain rights to terminate a contract and settle at an amount which differs from contract value. For example, certain breaches by the Plan of its obligations, representations, or warranties under the terms of an investment contract can result in its termination at market value, which may differ from contract value. Investment contracts may also provide for termination with no payment obligation from the issuer if the performance of the contract constitutes a prohibited transaction under ERISA or other applicable law. Investment contracts may also provide issuers with the right to reduce contract value in the event an underlying security suffers a credit event or the right to terminate the contract in the event certain investment guidelines are materially breached and not cured.

 

     2009
     Investments
at Fair Value
   Adjustment
to Contract
Value
    Investments
at Contract
Value

Benefit Responsive Contracts

   $ 5,177,991    $ (155,493   $ 5,022,498
                     
     2008
     Investments
at Fair Value
   Adjustment
to Contract
Value
    Investments
at Contract
Value

Benefit Responsive Contracts

   $ 4,660,963    $ 43,692      $ 4,704,655
                     

The average yield based on actual earnings of the contract was 4.23% and 4.23%, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The crediting interest rate was 4.26% and 4.82% as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

6

Party-in-Interest Transactions

Certain Plan investments are shares of mutual funds managed by T. Rowe Price, the Trustee as defined by the Plan and, therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest. Usual and customary fees were paid by the Plan for the investment management services.

The Plan purchased shares of Cliffs’, the Plan Sponsor, common stock for $10,894,195 and sold shares of Cliffs’ common stock for $6,500,762 in 2009. The Plan purchased shares of Cliffs’, the Plan Sponsor, common stock for $18,894,712 and sold shares of Cliffs’ common stock for $6,854,278 in 2008.

 

7

Risks and Uncertainties

The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risk such as interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risks associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values if investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.

 

8

Fair Value of Financial Assets

As defined in current accounting guidance, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Plan utilizes certain assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable firm inputs. The Plan utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Based on the examination of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, the Plan is required to provide the following information according to the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 

 

 

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

 

 

 

Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data

 

 

 

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

8

Fair Value of Financial Assets, Continued

 

Common Stocks and Mutual Funds:

The fair value of the common stocks and mutual funds are based on quoted market prices.

Stable Value Investment Contract:

The fair value of the stable value investment contract is determined by discounting the scheduled future payments required under the contract using an interpolated market rate for contracts with maturities comparable to the average remaining life of the contract being valued. Fair value reflects interest accrued on the contract, assuming the contract is held to maturity and, therefore, not subject to any adjustments that could be assessed by the issuer for certain types of withdrawals or early surrender by the trust. The fair value of wrap contracts reflects the discounted present value of the difference between the current wrap contract cost and its replacement cost, based on issuer quotes. The contract is classified in the Level 2 category of the valuation hierarchy.

Loans to Plan Participants:

Loans to Plan participants are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value and are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

The following table presents the financial assets of the Plan measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2009:

 

     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
   Total

Mutual Funds:

           

Money Market Funds

   $ 5,524,049    $ —      $ —      $ 5,524,049

Fixed Income Funds

     7,248,653      —        —        7,248,653

Equity Funds

           

Index

     5,171,197      —        —        5,171,197

Domestic

     20,300,387      —        —        20,300,387

International

     5,342,665      —        —        5,342,665

Target Date

     5,033,150      —        —        5,033,150

Common Stocks

     28,730,859      —        —        28,730,859

Stable Value Investment Contracts

     —        5,177,991      —        5,177,991

Participant Loans

     —        —        1,966,945      1,966,945
                           

Total

   $ 77,350,960    $ 5,177,991    $ 1,966,945    $ 84,495,896
                           

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

8

Fair Value of Financial Assets, Continued

 

The following table presents the financial assets of the Plan measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2008:

 

     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
   Total

Mutual Funds:

           

Money Market Funds

   $ 3,905,388    $ —      $ —      $ 3,905,388

Fixed Income Funds

     6,678,528      —        —        6,678,528

Equity Funds

           

Index

     4,118,171      —        —        4,118,171

Domestic

     14,004,200      —        —        14,004,200

International

     3,466,674      —        —        3,466,674

Target Date

     2,627,876      —        —        2,627,876

Common Stocks

     10,166,710      —        —        10,166,710

Stable Value Investment Contracts

     —        4,660,963      —        4,660,963

Participant Loans

     —        —        1,744,914      1,744,914
                           

Total

   $ 44,967,547    $ 4,660,963    $ 1,744,914    $ 51,373,424
                           

The following represents a reconciliation of the changes in fair value of financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) :

 

     2009
Participant
Loans
   2008
Participant
Loans
 

Balance, Beginning of Year

   $ 1,744,914    $ 1,934,459   

Initiation and repayment of participant loans, net

     222,031      (189,545
               

Balance, End of Year

   $ 1,966,945    $ 1,744,914   
               

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

 

9

Subsequent Events

Effective January 1, 2010, for all participants, the Company shall make matching contributions of 100% for the participants deferral not in excess of three percent and 50% of all participants deferrals between 3% and 5% of compensation.

 

10

Subsequent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2010-06, which will require additional disclosures related to fair value measurements. The additional disclosures will include a separate disclosure of the amount of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2, including a description of the reason for the transfer. In addition, for the reconciliation of activity in Level 3 measurements, information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements will need to be reported on a gross basis, rather than as one net number. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance will only affect footnote disclosures, and will not have an impact on the financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AT END OF YEAR

Form 5500, Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4i

Northshore Mining Company and Silver Bay Power Company

Retirement Savings Plan

EIN 84-1116857

Plan Number 001

December 31, 2009

 

(a)

  

(b)

Identity of Issue,

Borrower, Lessor,

or Similar Party

  

(c)

Description of Investment Including

Maturity Date, Rate of Interest,

Collateral, Par or Maturity Value

  

(d)
Cost

   (e)
Current Value

*

  

Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc. Common Stock

  

Stock

   N/A    $ 28,730,859

*

  

T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      5,171,197

*

  

T. Rowe Price Equity Spectrum Income Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      7,248,653

*

  

T. Rowe Price New America Growth Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      4,421,693

*

  

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      6,662,767

*

  

T. Rowe Price Prime Reserve Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      5,524,049

*

  

T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      5,342,665

*

  

T. Rowe Price Stable Value Fund

  

Stable Value Investment Contract

   N/A      5,022,498

*

  

T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      5,965,656

*

  

T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      2,871,765

*

  

T. Rowe Price Boston Co Small Cap Value

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      378,506

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      62,789

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      357,787

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      845,307

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      1,206,258

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      304,477

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      173,867

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      799,750

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      587,466

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      413,730

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      88,697

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      12,876

*

  

T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund

  

Mutual Fund

   N/A      180,146

*

  

Participant Loans

  

Notes receivable (4.25% to 9.25%)

   N/A      1,966,945
               
            $ 84,340,403
               

 

*

Party-in-interest to the Plan.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

NORTHSHORE MINING COMPANY and

SILVER BAY POWER COMPANY

RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

 

By:

 

Pension Committee,

   

Plan Administrator

Date: June 23, 2010

 

By:

 

/s/ Donald J. Gallagher

   

        Chairman

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

  

Page

23

  

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   Filed Herewith