Exhibit 13

Annual Report to Certificate Holders





GREAT NORTHERN IRON

ORE PROPERTIES





ONE-HUNDREDTH

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

TO CERTIFICATE HOLDERS





FOR

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006



---

GREAT NORTHERN IRON ORE PROPERTIES

W-1290 First National Bank Building

332 Minnesota Street

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-1361

(651) 224-2385

Fax (651) 224-2387



Trustees
        OfficersJOSEPH S. MICALLEFPresident of the Trustees

ROGER W. STAEHLE*

ROBERT A. STEIN*

JOHN H. ROE, III*

*Audit Committee
        JOSEPH S. MICALLEFChief Executive Officer

THOMAS A. JANOCHOSKIChief Financial OfficerVice President & Secretary

ROGER P. JOHNSONChief EngineerManager of Mines




SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, TRANSFER OFFICE

AND REGISTRAR

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

P.O. Box 64854

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55164-0854

Toll-free: 1-800-468-9716

MESABI IRON RANGE OFFICE

801 East Howard Street

Hibbing, Minnesota 55746-0429

(218) 262-3886

Fax (218) 262-4295



---

GREAT NORTHERN IRON ORE PROPERTIES

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS



Year Ended December 312006
        
        2005
        
        2004
        
        2003
        
        2002Shipments from our mines (pellet tons)
        
        
        8,851,919
        
        
        8,673,198
        
        
        9,167,200
        
        
        9,772,338
        
        
        7,094,446Royalties
        
        $
        17,045,244
        
        $
        17,998,451
        
        $
        14,141,775
        
        $
        11,800,870
        
        $
        9,141,886Other income
        
        $
        509,437
        
        $
        362,761
        
        $
        305,623
        
        $
        382,534
        
        $
        443,763Net income
        
        $
        14,773,035
        
        $
        15,720,620
        
        $
        12,242,010
        
        $
        9,967,544
        
        $
        7,661,762Total assets
        
        $
        18,510,076
        
        $
        19,455,519
        
        $
        18,407,999
        
        $
        17,413,589
        
        $
        16,873,663Average shares outstanding
        
        
        1,500,000
        
        
        1,500,000
        
        
        1,500,000
        
        
        1,500,000
        
        
        1,500,000Earnings per share, based on weighted-average shares outstanding during the year
        
        $
        9.85
        
        $
        10.48
        
        $
        8.16
        
        $
        6.65
        
        $
        5.11Declared distributions per share
        
        $
        10.30
        (1)
        $
        10.40
        (2)
        $
        8.20
        (3)
        $
        6.50
        (4)
        $
        5.40
        (5)




(1)
        $2.00 pd 4/28/06; $2.20 pd 7/31/06; $2.80 pd 10/31/06; $3.30 pd 1/31/07


(2)
        $2.20 pd 4/29/05; $2.40 pd 7/29/05; $2.80 pd 10/31/05; $3.00 pd 1/31/06


(3)
        $1.80 pd 4/30/04; $1.90 pd 7/30/04; $2.10 pd 10/29/04; $2.40 pd 1/31/05


(4)
        $1.50 pd 4/30/03; $1.60 pd 7/31/03; $1.70 pd 10/31/03; $1.70 pd 1/30/04


(5)
        $1.10 pd 4/30/02; $1.40 pd 7/31/02; $1.40 pd 10/31/02; $1.50 pd 1/31/03






2

---

Trustees & Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations



Overview:Great Northern Iron Ore Properties (Trust) is a conventional nonvoting trust organized under the laws of the State of Michigan pursuant to a Trust Agreement dated December 7, 1906. The Trust owns interests in fee, both mineral and nonmineral lands, on the Mesabi Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota. Many of these properties are leased to steel and mining companies that mine the mineral lands for taconite iron ore. The Trust has no subsidiaries. With the properties and offices all located in Minnesota, the Trust is under the jurisdiction of the Ramsey County District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota.



During 2006, the major source of income to the Trust was royalty income derived from taconite production and minimum royalties. Certain leases provide the steel and mining companies the ability to offset excess royalties (over the minimum royalty requirements) due on future taconite production, if any and when mined, against minimum royalties paid in prior periods. A Summary of Shipments is tabulated on the last page of this report.



The terms of the Great Northern Iron Ore Properties Trust Agreement, created December 7, 1906, state that the Trust shall continue for twenty years after the death of the last surviving of eighteen persons named in the Trust Agreement. The last survivor of these eighteen named in the Trust Agreement died April 6, 1995. Accordingly, the Trust terminates twenty years from April 6, 1995.



At the end of the Trust, that being April 6, 2015, the certificates of beneficial interest (shares) in the Trust will cease to trade on the New York Stock Exchange and thereafter will represent only the right to receive certain distributions payable to the certificate holders of record at the time of the termination of the Trust. Upon termination, the Trust is obligated to distribute ratably to these certificate holders the net monies remaining in the hands of the Trustees (after paying and providing for all expenses and obligations of the Trust), plus the balance in the Principal Charges account (see Note D of the Financial Statements). All other Trust property (most notably the Trusts mineral properties) must be conveyed and transferred to the reversioner (currently Glacier Park Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips) under the terms of the Trust Agreement.



The exact final distribution, though not determinable at this time, will generally consist of the sum of the Trusts net monies (essentially, total assets less liabilities and properties) and the balance in the Principal Charges account, less any and all expenses and obligations of the Trust upon termination. To offer a hypothetical example, without factoring in any expenses and obligations of the Trust upon its termination, and using the financial statement values as of December 31, 2006, the net monies were approximately $8.0 million and the Principal Charges account balance was approximately $5.2 million, resulting in a final distribution payable of approximately $13.2 million, or about $8.80 per share. After payment of this final distribution, the certificates of beneficial interest (shares) would be cancelled and



3



---

will have no further value. It is important to note, however, that the actual net monies on hand and the Principal Charges account balance will most likely fluctuate during the ensuing years and will not be final until after the termination and wind-down of the Trust. We offer this example to further inform investors about the conceptual nature of the final distribution and do not imply or guarantee a specific known final distribution amount.



The Trust is solely involved with the leasing and care of its properties. The management of the Trust is vested in the Trustees. The Trustees have no duty to sell property unless required to do so to serve both the term beneficiaries and reversionary beneficiary impartially; and, if the need arises, the Trustees may petition the Court for further instructions defining what is required in a particular case to balance the interests of the certificate holders and reversioner. The major source of income to the Trust is earned royalties derived from taconite production from the Trusts properties by the Trusts lessees (customers) and minimum royalties, pursuant to mineral leases. Earned royalties are based on the taconite tonnage extracted (also referred to as produced or shipped) from the Trusts lands applied to a royalty rate as defined in the various specific and confidential
operating agreements (also referred to as leases) with the Trusts lessees. Certain leases have minimum royalty provisions that require the lessee to remit to the Trust current year rental or minimum royalty income for holding the leasehold interest. The leases are generally very long-term in nature and, while they periodically are amended at the request of a lessee, the Trust is bound by the lease provisions throughout the term of the lease.



Pursuant to a Court Order in 1988, the Trustees filed an election under Section 646 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, as amended, of the Internal Revenue Code with the Internal Revenue Service that allowed the Trust to be taxed as a grantor trust versus a corporation. Accordingly, certificate holders (shareholders) are taxed on their allocable share of the Trusts income whether or not the income is distributed.



The Trustees provided annual income tax information in January 2007 to certificate holders of record with holdings on any of the four quarterly record dates during 2006. This information included the following:



Substitute Form 1099-MISC This form reported the certificate holders 2006 allocable share of income from the Trust, distributions declared and any taxes withheld. (Foreign certificate holders received a Form 1042S.)



Trust Supplemental Statement This statement reported the number of units (shares) held by the certificate holder on any of the four quarterly record dates in 2006.



Tax Return Guide This guide instructed the certificate holders as to the preparation of their income tax returns with respect to income allocated from the Trust and various deductions allowable. We will, upon request, be pleased to furnish any certificate holder or investor a Tax Return Guide for any recent year.



4



---

Shares of beneficial interest in the Trust are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GNI (CUSIP No. 391064102). There were 1,376 certificate holders of record on December 31, 2006. The high and low prices for the quarterly periods commencing January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2006, inclusive, were as follows:



2006
        
        2005Quarter
        
        High
        
        Low
        
        High
        
        LowFirst
        
        $
        140.15
        
        $
        120.50
        
        $
        142.09
        
        $
        101.00Second
        
        
        141.00
        
        
        107.00
        
        
        123.50
        
        
        93.00Third
        
        
        124.60
        
        
        101.80
        
        
        124.50
        
        
        101.00Fourth
        
        
        124.50
        
        
        101.00
        
        
        141.00
        
        
        113.00




Results of Operations:Royalties for 2006 were less than those of 2005 primarily due to an overall lower average earned royalty rate, which was due to our lessees mining more from our partial fee interest lands resulting in royalties representative of our ownership interest. Royalties for 2005 were greater than those of 2004 primarily due to greater net minimum royalties and increases in our royalty rates due to escalation of producer price indices, offset in part by a decrease in tonnage mined from Trust lands. Other income for 2006 was greater than that of 2005, which was greater than that of 2004, primarily due to overall improved yields on our funds held for investment. Net income for 2006 was less than that of 2005 primarily due to the decreased Royalties (as explained above). Net income for 2005, which was the
highest in the history of the Trust, was greater than that of 2004, primarily due to increased Royalties (as explained above), offset in part by additional pension costs associated with funding the plan and expensing these costs by the Trusts termination date.



The Trustees declared four quarterly distributions in 2006 totaling $10.30 per share. The first, in the amount of $2.00 per share, was paid on April 28, 2006, to certificate holders of record on March 31, 2006; the second, in the amount of $2.20 per share, was paid on July 31, 2006, to certificate holders of record on June 30, 2006; the third, in the amount of $2.80 per share, was paid on October 31, 2006, to certificate holders of record on September 29, 2006; and the fourth, in the amount of $3.30 per share, was paid on January 31, 2007, to certificate holders of record on December 29, 2006.



The Trustees declared four quarterly distributions in 2005 totaling $10.40 per share. The first, in the amount of $2.20 per share, was paid on April 29, 2005, to certificate holders of record on March 31, 2005; the second, in the amount of $2.40 per share, was paid on July 29, 2005, to certificate holders of record on June 30, 2005; the third, in the amount of $2.80 per share, was paid on October 31, 2005, to certificate holders of record on September 30, 2005; and the fourth, in the amount of $3.00 per share, was paid on January 31, 2006, to certificate holders of record on December 30, 2005.



5

---

The Trustees intend to continue quarterly distributions and set the record date as of the last business day of each quarter. The next distribution will be paid in late April 2007 to certificate holders of record on March 30, 2007.



Liquidity:In the interest of preservation of principal of Court-approved reserves and guided by the restrictive provisions of Section 646 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, as amended, monies are invested primarily in United States Treasury securities with maturity dates not to exceed three years and, along with cash flows from operations, are deemed adequate to meet currently foreseeable liquidity needs. The following is a table of the Trusts contractual obligations as of December 31, 2006:



Payments Due by PeriodTotal
        
        Less than1 year
        
        1  3years
        
        3  5years
        
        More than5 yearsMinimum Pension
Contributions (see Note E)
        
        $
        1,237,412
        
        $
        208,516
        
        $
        417,032
        
        $
        417,032
        
        $
        194,832Deferred Compensation
        
        
        77,000
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        77,000St. Paul Office Lease (see Note G)
        
        
        61,823
        
        
        61,823
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        




The Minimum Pension Contributions in the above table represent the current year minimum contribution required to fund the pension plan pursuant to ERISA regulations, which was extended to future years until the pension liability on the balance sheet is funded.



Critical Accounting Policies:Royaltiesfrom the Trusts mineral leases are taken into income as earned. Tonnage extracted is agreed upon between Trust and lessee engineers based on various engineering methods, which include truck counts, volumetric surveys and blast pattern estimates. Many of the leases provide for escalation or de-escalation that, for the most part, is based on independent producer price indices as published by the U.S. Department of Labor  Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, a number of the Trusts leases have minimum royalty provisions that require the lessee to remit to the Trust current year rental or minimum royalty income for holding the leasehold interest, regardless of production. These minimum royalties can accumulate and do allow the steel and mining companies the ability to offset
excess royalties (over the minimum royalty requirements) on future taconite production. Minimum royalties, if not recovered before the termination of the lease, are forfeitable. In that event, no minimum royalties will be returned to the lessee.



Pension Plan Valuationsare based on a number of assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net periodic pension cost. These assumptions are evaluated annually by the Trustees and management in conjunction with outside actuaries. Assumptions affecting the pension plan valuations include the discount rate, compensation increase level and expected long-term rate of return. These



6

---

assumptions reflect and incorporate the expected cash flow payouts of the pension plan given the determinate time frame to the termination of the Trust. Please refer to Note E of the Financial Statements for additional pension plan information.



The Principal Charges accountrepresents a first and prior lien of certificate holders on any property transferable to the reversioner at the end of the Trust and reflects an allocation of beneficiaries equity between the certificate holders and the reversioner. This Court-ordered account is neither an asset nor a liability of the Trust. Rather, this account maintains and represents a balance that will be payable to the certificate holders of record from the reversioner at the end of the Trust. The account balance, as stated in Note D of the Financial Statements, primarily represents the costs of acquiring homes and surface lands in accordance with provisions of a lease with United States Steel Corporation. This account balance, which may increase or decrease, will be added to the cash distributable to the certificate holders of record at the termination of the Trust.



Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements:Certain expectations and projections regarding future performance of the Trust referenced in this report are forward-looking statements. These expectations and projections are based on currently available industry and financial data and may be subject to certain events and uncertainties beyond the Trusts control. We caution readers that in addition to factors described elsewhere in this report, the following factors and comments, among others, could cause the Trusts operations and financial results to differ materially from the expectations and projections contained in the forward-looking statements.



The Trustslessees (customers)primarily include Minntac (Minntac) and Keewatin Taconite Company (Keetac), both owned and operated by United States Steel Corporation; Hibbing Taconite Company (Hibtac), owned by Mittal Steel USA, Cleveland Cliffs Inc. and Stelco, and operated by Cleveland Cliffs Inc.; and Minnesota Steel Industries LLC (MSI), owned by JML Heirs, LLC and R.M. Bennett Heirs Limited Partnership, with a new taconite mining and steelmaking facility anticipated to be constructed by MSI over the next few years, subject to permitting and financing. Because the Trusts revenues are primarily dependent upon a limited number of customers, there are associated inherent risks resulting therefrom. Any significant adverse event at any of the Trusts primary lessees, or the loss of any of the
Trusts primary lessees, could materially adversely affect the Trusts future financial results.



A decline inmarket demandfor steel, and correspondingly taconite, could adversely affect the Trusts financial results. However, other related and sometimes compensating factors include the Trusts lessees operating levels, minimum royalties, ore body quality, metallurgical and geological characteristics, proximity of Trust lands, extreme weather conditions and labor contracts at the mines. Though the Trust is not a party to the labor contracts, all pertinent labor contracts affecting production from Trust lands run through mid-2008. Additionally, over the past few



7

---

years, the domestic steel and taconite industries have also been influenced by the global markets. As a result, future demand for domestic steel and taconite, which is now part of the global markets, is uncertain.



Royalty ratescan fluctuate due to the escalation and de-escalation of producer price indices as a result of provisions present in many of the Trusts leases. To the extent these indices decline (All Commodities or the Iron and Steel subgroup), royalty rates, and correspondingly royalty income, could be adversely affected. Conversely, higher producer price indices may increase royalty rates and royalty income.



Compliance with Section 646 of the Internal Revenue Code, as explained in Note F of the Financial Statements, is integral to the level of distributions paid to the certificate holders. Should it be determined that the Trust violated the requirements of Section 646, it would be taxed as a corporation versus a grantor trust. This would mean the Trusts income would be taxable upon receipt by the Trust and again upon receipt by the certificate holders. It is the Trustees opinion that, based on independent tax firm reviews, the Trust has remained in compliance with the provisions of Section 646 since its election in 1988.



Theoutlookfor 2007 is that we anticipate reduced taconite production from Trust lands as compared to 2006, based on our lessees mine plans. However, we expect that higher overall earned royalty rates and minimum royalties in 2007 will partially offset the anticipated production decrease. As a result, we think that, historically, 2007 will be another good year for the Trust.

---



On a celebratory note, the Trustees of Great Northern Iron Ore Properties are pleased to report that officials of the New York Stock Exchange had invited representatives of the Trust to participate in the ringing of The Closing BellSM on the Trusts 100-year anniversary, which was celebrated on December 7, 2006. The President of the Trustees presided with the gavel to ring the closing bell to commemorate this historic occasion. He was joined on the podium by his fellow Trustees and the Trusts Vice President & Secretary and its Manager of Mines.



The Trustees wish to thank all those that have contributed to the Trusts 100-year success, including our customers  the steel and mining companies, our vendors and service providers; our certificate holders (shareholders) and reversioner; and our current employees and retirees of Great Northern Iron Ore Properties. The Trustees continue to look forward to serve, with impartiality, the shareholders and reversioner of the Trust through its wind-down in the year 2015.



8

---

Finally, we will, upon request, be pleased to furnish any certificate holder or investor an Annual Report on Form 10-K for any recent year.



Respectfully submitted,



Joseph S. Micallef,President of the Trusteesand Chief Executive OfficerThomas A. Janochoski,Vice President & Secretaryand Chief Financial Officer
        Roger W. Staehle, TrusteeRobert A. Stein, TrusteeJohn H. Roe, III, Trustee
Saint Paul, MinnesotaFebruary 2, 2007






9

---

MANAGEMENTS REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER

FINANCIALREPORTING



The management of Great Northern Iron Ore Properties (Trust) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Trusts internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Trusts management and Board of Trustees regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.



The Trusts management assessed the effectiveness of the Trusts internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth in a report by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) on Internal Control  Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2006, the Trusts internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the COSO criteria.



The Trusts Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an audit report on our assessment of the Trusts internal control over financial reporting. Their report appears on pages 25 and 26.



Respectfully submitted,



Joseph S. Micallef,

Chief Executive Officer and

President of the Trustees


Thomas A. Janochoski,

Chief Financial Officer and

Vice President & Secretary




10

---

GREAT NORTHERN IRON ORE PROPERTIES

BALANCE SHEETS



ASSETSDecember 312006
        
        2005Current AssetsCash and cash equivalents
        
        $
        1,131,504
        
        $
        774,916United States Treasury securities(Note B)
        
        
        5,086,107
        
        
        6,209,745Royalties receivable
        
        
        4,444,446
        
        
        3,881,737Prepaid expenses
        
        
        4,519
        
        
        2,110Total Current Assets
        
        
        10,666,576
        
        
        10,868,508Noncurrent AssetsUnited States Treasury securities(Note B)
        
        
        3,721,752
        
        
        3,391,684Prepaid pension expense(Note E)
        
        
        
        
        
        855,340Total Noncurrent Assets
        
        
        3,721,752
        
        
        4,247,024PropertiesMineral and surface lands(Notes B and C)
        
        
        38,691,707
        
        
        38,691,707Less: Allowances for depletion and amortization
        
        
        34,719,685
        
        
        34,499,1853,972,022
        
        
        4,192,522Building and equipment
        
        
        359,543
        
        
        371,119Less: Allowances for accumulated depreciation
        
        
        209,817
        
        
        223,654149,726
        
        
        147,465Total Properties
        
        
        4,121,748
        
        
        4,339,987Total Assets
        
        $
        18,510,076
        
        $
        19,455,519LIABILITIES AND BENEFICIARIES EQUITYCurrent LiabilitiesAccounts payable and accrued expenses
        
        $
        84,418
        
        $
        90,156Distributions
        
        
        4,950,000
        
        
        4,500,000Total Current Liabilities
        
        
        5,034,418
        
        
        4,590,156Noncurrent LiabilitiesDeferred compensation
        
        
        77,000
        
        
        60,800Liability for pension benefits(Note E)
        
        
        1,237,412
        
        
        Total Noncurrent Liabilities
        
        
        1,314,412
        
        
        60,800Total Liabilities
        
        
        6,348,830
        
        
        4,650,956Beneficiaries EquityCertificate holders equity, represented by 1,500,000 certificates (shares or units) of beneficial interest authorized and outstanding, and the reversionary interest(Notes A and D)
        
        
        14,127,598
        
        
        14,804,563Accumulated other comprehensive loss(Note E)
        
        
        (1,966,352
        )
        
        Total Beneficiaries Equity
        
        
        12,161,246
        
        
        14,804,563Total Liabilities and Beneficiaries Equity
        
        $
        18,510,076
        
        $
        19,455,519




See accompanying notes.



11

---

GREAT NORTHERN IRON ORE PROPERTIES

STATEMENTS OF BENEFICIARIES EQUITY



CertificateHolders Equity
        
        AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss
        
        TotalBeneficiariesEquityBalance at December 31, 2003
        
        $
        14,741,933
        
        $
        
        
        $
        14,741,933Net Income for 2004
        
        
        12,242,010
        
        
        
        
        
        12,242,010Distributions declared for 2004 ($8.20 per share)
        
        
        (12,300,000
        )
        
        
        
        
        (12,300,000
        )Balance at December 31, 2004
        
        
        14,683,943
        
        
        
        
        
        14,683,943Net Income for 2005
        
        
        15,720,620
        
        
        
        
        
        15,720,620Distributions declared for 2005 ($10.40 per share)
        
        
        (15,600,000
        )
        
        
        
        
        (15,600,000
        )Balance at December 31, 2005
        
        
        14,804,563
        
        
        
        
        
        14,804,563Net Income for 2006
        
        
        14,773,035
        
        
        
        
        
        14,773,035Defined Benefit Pension Plan  Adjustment due to the adoption of SFAS No. 158(Note E)
        
        
        
        
        
        (1,966,352
        )
        
        (1,966,352
        )Distributions declared for 2006 ($10.30 per share)
        
        
        (15,450,000
        )
        
        
        
        
        (15,450,000
        )Balance at December 31, 2006


        $
        14,127,598
        
        $
        (1,966,352
        )
        $
        12,161,246




See accompanying notes.



12

---

GREAT NORTHERN IRON ORE PROPERTIES

STATEMENTS OF INCOME



Year Ended December 312006
        
        2005
        
        2004RevenuesRoyalties
        
        $
        17,045,244
        
        $
        17,998,451
        
        $
        14,141,775Interest earned
        
        
        362,009
        
        
        252,037
        
        
        179,806Rent and other income
        
        
        147,428
        
        
        110,724
        
        
        125,817Total Revenues
        
        
        17,554,681
        
        
        18,361,212
        
        
        14,447,398ExpensesRoyalty disbursements
        
        
        4,623
        
        
        4,623
        
        
        4,623Real estate and payroll taxes
        
        
        107,745
        
        
        139,090
        
        
        129,744Inspection and care of properties
        
        
        538,730
        
        
        531,830
        
        
        524,695Administrative and general
        
        
        1,872,969
        
        
        1,723,535
        
        
        1,302,100Depreciation and amortization
        
        
        257,579
        
        
        241,514
        
        
        244,226Total Expenses
        
        
        2,781,646
        
        
        2,640,592
        
        
        2,205,388Net Income
        
        $
        14,773,035
        
        $
        15,720,620
        
        $
        12,242,010Earnings per Share
        
        $
        9.85
        
        $
        10.48
        
        $
        8.16




See accompanying notes.



13

---

GREAT NORTHERN IRON ORE PROPERTIES

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



Year Ended December 312006
        
        2005
        
        2004Operating ActivitiesCash received from royalties and rents
        
        $
        16,629,963
        
        $
        16,957,982
        
        $
        13,665,771Cash paid to suppliers and employees
        
        
        (2,389,614
        )
        
        (2,285,541
        )
        
        (2,087,987
        )Interest received
        
        
        314,595
        
        
        202,093
        
        
        188,621Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
        
        
        14,554,944
        
        
        14,874,534
        
        
        11,766,405Investing ActivitiesUnited States Treasury securities purchased
        
        
        (5,325,000
        )
        
        (5,232,326
        )
        
        (4,297,396
        )United States Treasury securities matured
        
        
        6,165,984
        
        
        5,088,738
        
        
        3,725,000Net expenditures for building and equipment
        
        
        (39,340
        )
        
        (44,809
        )
        
        (11,629
        )Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
        
        
        801,644
        
        
        (188,397
        )
        
        (584,025
        )Financing ActivitiesDistributions paid
        
        
        (15,000,000
        )
        
        (14,700,000
        )
        
        (11,250,000
        )Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
        
        
        (15,000,000
        )
        
        (14,700,000
        )
        
        (11,250,000
        )Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash And Cash Equivalents
        
        
        356,588
        
        
        (13,863
        )
        
        (67,620
        )Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
        
        
        774,916
        
        
        788,779
        
        
        856,399Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
        
        $
        1,131,504
        
        $
        774,916
        
        $
        788,779Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating ActivitiesNet income
        
        $
        14,773,035
        
        $
        15,720,620
        
        $
        12,242,010Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:Depreciation and amortization
        
        
        257,579
        
        
        241,514
        
        
        244,226Net (increase) decrease in assets:Accrued interest
        
        
        (47,414
        )
        
        (49,944
        )
        
        8,815Royalties receivable
        
        
        (562,709
        )
        
        (1,046,793
        )
        
        (591,521
        )Prepaid expenses
        
        
        123,991
        
        
        86,637
        
        
        (129,225
        )Surface lands
        
        
        
        
        
        (104,400
        )
        
        (10,300
        )Net (decrease) increase in liabilities:Accounts payable and accrued expenses
        
        
        (5,738
        )
        
        8,400
        
        
        (12,900
        )Deferred compensation
        
        
        16,200
        
        
        18,500
        
        
        15,300Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
        
        $
        14,554,944
        
        $
        14,874,534
        
        $
        11,766,405Supplemental Noncash ActivityAdoption of SFAS No. 158(Note E)




See accompanying notes.



14

---

GREAT NORTHERN IRON ORE PROPERTIES



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



December 31, 2006



NOTE A  Business and Termination of the Trust and Legal Proceedings

Great Northern Iron Ore Properties (Trust) is presently involved solely with the leasing and maintenance of mineral and nonmineral lands owned by the Trust on the Mesabi Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota. Royalties are derived from taconite production and minimums. Royalties (which are not in direct ratio to tonnage shipped) from two significant operating lessees were as follows: 2006  $11,588,000 and $4,963,000; 2005  $11,930,000 and $6,068,000; and 2004  $8,942,000 and $5,197,000.



The terms of the Great Northern Iron Ore Properties Trust Agreement, created December 7, 1906, state that the Trust shall continue for twenty years after the death of the last surviving of eighteen persons named in the Trust Agreement. The last survivor of these eighteen named in the Trust Agreement died April 6, 1995. Accordingly, the Trust terminates twenty years from April 6, 1995.



At the end of the Trust, that being April 6, 2015, the certificates of beneficial interest (shares) in the Trust will cease to trade on the New York Stock Exchange and thereafter will represent only the right to receive certain distributions payable to the certificate holders of record at the time of the termination of the Trust. Upon termination, the Trust is obligated to distribute ratably to these certificate holders the net monies remaining in the hands of the Trustees (after paying and providing for all expenses and obligations of the Trust), plus the balance in the Principal Charges account (see Note D). All other Trust property (most notably the Trusts mineral properties) must be conveyed and transferred to the reversioner under the terms of the Trust Agreement.



In proceedings commenced in 1972, the Minnesota Supreme Court determined that while by the terms of the Trust, the Trustees are given discretionary powers to convert Trust assets to cash and to distribute the proceeds to certificate holders, they are limited in their exercise of those powers by the legal duty imposed by well-established law of trusts to serve the interests of both term beneficiaries and the reversionary beneficiary with impartiality. Thus, the Trustees have no duty to exercise the powers of sale and distribution unless required to do so to serve both term and reversionary interests; and, if the need arises, the Trustees may petition the District Court of Ramsey County, Minnesota, for further instructions defining what is required in a particular case to balance the interests of certificate holders and reversioner. Also, the Court, in effect, held that the Trust is a
conventional trust, rather than a business trust, and must operate within the framework of well-established trust law.



15

---

NOTE A  Business and Termination of the Trust and Legal Proceedings (continued)

By a letter dated March 15, 2006, certificate holders of record as of December 30, 2005, and the reversioner were notified of a hearing on May 3, 2006, in Ramsey County Courthouse, Saint Paul, Minnesota, for the purpose of settling and allowing the Trust accounts for the year 2005. By Court Order signed and dated May 3, 2006, the 2005 accounts were settled and allowed in all respects. By previous Orders, the Court settled and allowed the accounts of the Trustees for preceding years of the Trust.



Section 646 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, as amended, provided a special elective provision under which the Trust was allowed to convert from taxation as a corporation to that of a grantor trust. Pursuant to an Order of the Ramsey County District Court, the Trustees filed the Section 646 election with the Internal Revenue Service on December 30, 1988. On January 1, 1989, the Trust became exempt from federal and Minnesota corporate income taxes. For years 1989 and thereafter, certificate holders are taxed on their allocable share of the Trusts income whether or not the income is distributed. For certificate holder tax purposes, the Trusts income is determined on an annual basis, one-fourth then being allocated to each quarterly record date.



NOTE B  Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents:For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Trust considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.



Securities:United States Treasury securities are classified as held-to-maturity securities and are carried at cost, adjusted for accrued interest and amortization of premium or discount. Securities listed as noncurrent assets will mature in 2008. Following is an analysis of the securities as of December 31:



Current
        
        Noncurrent2006
        
        2005
        
        2006
        
        2005Aggregate fair value
        
        $
        4,986,641
        
        $
        6,124,740
        
        $
        3,668,765
        
        $
        3,316,594Gross unrealized holding gains
        
        
        
        
        
        (6,490
        )
        
        (3,232
        )
        
        Gross unrealized holding losses
        
        
        20,034
        
        
        47,423
        
        
        10,794
        
        
        32,736Amortized cost basis
        
        
        5,006,675
        
        
        6,165,673
        
        
        3,676,327
        
        
        3,349,330Accrued interest
        
        
        79,432
        
        
        44,072
        
        
        45,425
        
        
        42,354Amounts shown on balance sheets
        
        $
        5,086,107
        
        $
        6,209,745
        
        $
        3,721,752
        
        $
        3,391,684






16

---

NOTE B  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Mineral and Surface Lands:Mineral and surface lands are carried at amounts that represent, principally, either costs at acquisition or values on March 1, 1913. The value of the merchantable ore deposits was established on March 1, 1913, for federal income tax purposes. There presently is no cost depletion, as no natural ore mining from mineral lands is occurring. No value has been estimated or recorded for taconite deposits held on March 1, 1913, since they were not then thought to be merchantable; however, they presently represent all the mining activity on the Trusts properties. In addition, surface lands are acquired from time to time to facilitate mining operations (see Note C). These surface lands are being amortized over the remaining life of the Trust based on the values as of the beginning of each fiscal
year. Surface lands remaining to be amortized amounted to $2,039,627, $2,144,447 and $2,342,347 as of January 1, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Said amortization amounted to $220,500, $209,220 and $208,200 for the years 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.



Royalties:Royalties from mineral leases (with cancellation terms varying from six months to one year) are taken into income as earned. Earned royalties are based on the taconite tonnage extracted (also referred to as produced or shipped) from the Trusts lands applied to a royalty rate as defined in the various specific and confidential operating agreements (also referred to as leases). Minimum royalties, if required, are current years rental or minimum royalty income from the lessees to the Trust for holding the leasehold interest. Certain leases provide the steel and mining companies the ability to offset excess royalties (over the minimum royalty requirements) due on future taconite production, if any and when mined, against minimum royalties paid in prior periods. Accumulated minimum royalties amounted to $3,306,198 on
December 31, 2006, and $3,288,083 on December 31, 2005.



Use of Estimates:The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.



Earnings per Share:Earnings per share are determined by dividing net income for the period by the number of weighted-average shares of beneficial interest outstanding. Basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding were 1,500,000 as of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.



17

---

NOTE C  Land Acquisition

A mining agreement dated January 1, 1959, with United States Steel Corporation provides that one-half of annual earned royalties, after satisfaction of minimum royalty payments, shall be applied to reimburse the lessee for a portion of its cost of acquisition of surface lands overlying the leased mineral deposits, which surface lands are then conveyed to the Trustees (see Note B). The costs of surface lands acquired to facilitate the mining operations amounted to $-0-, $104,400 and $10,300 for the years 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. There are surface lands yet to be purchased, the costs of which are yet unknown and will not be known until the actual purchases are made.



NOTE D  Principal Charges Account

Pursuant to the Court Order of November 29, 1982, the Trustees were directed to create and maintain an account designated as Principal Charges. This account constitutes a first and prior lien of certificate holders on any property transferable to the reversioner and reflects an allocation of beneficiaries equity between the certificate holders and the reversioner. This account is neither an asset nor a liability of the Trust. Rather, this account maintains and represents a balance that will be payable to the certificate holders of record from the reversioner at the end of the Trust. The balance in this account consists of attorneys fees and expenses of counsel for adverse parties pursuant to the Court Order in connection with litigation commenced in 1972 relating to the Trustees powers and duties under the Trust Agreement and the costs of homes and
surface lands acquired in accordance with provisions of a lease with United States Steel Corporation, net of an allowance to amortize the cost of the land based on actual shipments of taconite and net of a credit for disposition of tangible assets. Following is an analysis of this account as of December 31:



2006
        
        2005Attorneys fees and expenses
        
        $
        1,024,834
        
        $
        1,024,834Costs of surface lands
        
        
        5,817,965
        
        
        5,817,965Cumulative shipment credits
        
        
        (1,577,250
        )
        
        (1,460,774
        )Cumulative asset disposition credits
        
        
        (97,881
        )
        
        (57,950
        )Principal Charges account balance
        
        $
        5,167,668
        
        $
        5,324,075




Upon termination of the Trust, the Trustees shall either sell tangible assets or obtain a loan with tangible assets as security to provide monies for distribution to the certificate holders in the amount of the Principal Charges account balance.



18

---

NOTE E Pension Plan

The Trust has a noncontributory defined benefit plan that covers all employees. The Trustees are not eligible for pension benefits under the plan based on services as Trustees. During September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (SFAS No. 158), which the Trust was required to adopt for its year ending December 31, 2006. SFAS No. 158 requires employers with pension plans to recognize the funded (or unfunded) status of a plan on the face of the balance sheet. The funded status is determined by comparing the pension plan assets at fair value to the projected (future) benefit obligation.



A summary of the components of net periodic pension cost for 2006, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:



2006
        
        2005
        
        2004Service cost
        
        $
        235,525
        
        $
        214,125
        
        $
        117,426Interest cost
        
        
        309,600
        
        
        282,728
        
        
        210,396Expected return on assets
        
        
        (312,379
        )
        
        (300,686
        )
        
        (303,219
        )Amortization of net loss
        
        
        166,209
        
        
        147,526
        
        
        5,736Amortization of prior service cost
        
        
        17,469
        
        
        
        
        
        28Net periodic pension cost
        
        $
        416,424
        
        $
        343,693
        
        $
        30,367




Weighted-average assumptions used in the measurement of the benefit obligation as of December 31 and the net periodic pension cost for the years ended December 31 were:



2006
        
        2005Discount rate for benefit obligation, pre-retirement
        
        5.75
        %
        5.75
        %Discount rate for benefit obligation, post-retirement
        
        4.75
        %
        4.75
        %Discount rate for net periodic pension cost
        
        5.75
        %
        5.75
        %Rate of compensation increase
        
        3.50
        %
        3.50
        %Expected long-term return on plan assets
        
        7.50
        %
        7.50
        %




The determination of the discount rate is based on a high-quality bond yield curve that approximates the expected cash flow payouts of the plan, coupled with a comparison to the Moodys Aa corporate bond rate. The determination of the rate of compensation increase is based on historical salary adjustment averages and the Trustees expectations of future increases. The determination of the expected long-term return on plan assets is based on historical returns of the various asset categories included in the plans portfolio and a consideration of the Trusts termination date.



19

---

NOTE E Pension Plan (continued)

The following table sets forth the change in projected benefit obligation:



2006
        
        2005Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year
        
        $
        5,503,867
        
        $
        3,946,433Service cost
        
        
        235,525
        
        
        214,125Interest cost
        
        
        309,600
        
        
        282,728Actuarial loss
        
        
        24,874
        
        
        1,159,961Plan amendment
        
        
        
        
        
        157,219Benefit payments
        
        
        (252,771
        )
        
        (256,599
        )Projected benefit obligation at end of year
        
        $
        5,821,095
        
        $
        5,503,867




The following table sets forth the change in the fair value of plan assets:



2006
        
        2005Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
        
        $
        4,155,717
        
        $
        4,001,377Contributions by the Trust
        
        
        290,024
        
        
        257,706Actual return on plan assets
        
        
        390,713
        
        
        153,233Benefit payments
        
        
        (252,771
        )
        
        (256,599
        )Fair value of plan assets at end of year
        
        $
        4,583,683
        
        $
        4,155,717




The future benefit payments from the plan are estimated to be $252,771 for 2007, $240,726 for 2008, $228,181 for 2009, $215,194 for 2010, and $201,837 for 2011. The future benefit payments from the plan for the period 2012 through 2016, inclusive, are estimated to be $1,863,615, in aggregate. The 2007 contribution to the plan is estimated to approximate $290,000, representing the maximum tax-deductible contribution that is recommended pursuant to the Trusts annual actuarial valuation. However, the actual 2007 contribution will not be determined and finalized until after the completion of the plans annual actuarial valuation which is performed as of the plans fiscal year-end, March 31.



20

---

NOTE E Pension Plan (continued)

The following table sets forth the plans funded status and amounts recognized in the balance sheets as of December 31:



2006
        
        2005Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year
        
        $
        4,198,608
        
        $
        4,031,851Effect of future compensation increases
        
        
        1,622,487
        
        
        1,472,016Projected benefit obligation at end of year
        
        
        5,821,095
        
        
        5,503,867Fair value of plan assets at end of year
        
        
        4,583,683
        
        
        4,155,717Unfunded status at end of year
        
        
        1,237,412
        
        
        1,348,150Unrecognized net loss
        
        
        
        
        
        (2,046,271
        )Unrecognized prior service cost
        
        
        
        
        
        (157,219
        )Liability for pension benefits
        
        $
        1,237,412Prepaid pension expense (shown positive)
        
        
        
        
        $
        855,340




The incremental effect of applying SFAS No. 158 on individual line items in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2006, is as follows:



Balance Sheet Line Item
        
        Before Applicationof SFAS No. 158
        
        Adjustments
        
        After Applicationof SFAS No. 158Prepaid pension expense
        
        $
        728,940
        
        $
        (728,940
        )
        $
        Total Noncurrent Assets
        
        
        4,450,692
        
        
        (728,940
        )
        
        3,721,752Liability for pension benefits
        
        
        
        
        
        1,237,412
        
        
        1,237,412Total Noncurrent Liabilities
        
        
        77,000
        
        
        1,237,412
        
        
        1,314,412Accumulated other comprehensive loss
        
        
        
        
        
        (1,966,352
        )
        
        (1,966,352
        )Total Beneficiaries Equity
        
        
        14,127,598
        
        
        (1,966,352
        )
        
        12,161,246




The following table sets forth the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, with the adoption of SFAS No. 158:



2006Net loss
        
        $
        1,826,602Prior service cost
        
        
        139,750Accumulated other comprehensive loss
        
        $
        1,966,352




The net loss and prior service cost amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic pension cost in 2007 are estimated to be $155,562 and $17,469, respectively.



21

---

NOTE E Pension Plan (continued)

The following table sets forth the plans weighted-average asset allocations by category as of December 31:



2006
        
        2005Equity securities
        
        52
        %
        52
        %Fixed income securities
        
        43
        %
        43
        %Cash (money market, accrued income)
        
        5
        %
        5
        %Total
        
        100
        %
        100
        %




The investment policy of the plan is to have up to approximately 55% invested in equity securities (via an equity index fund) and the remaining monies invested in fixed income securities and cash.



NOTE F Income Taxes

The Trustees filed an election under Section 646 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, as amended. As discussed in Note A, beginning in 1989 the Trust is no longer subject to federal or Minnesota corporate income taxes, provided the requirements of Section 646 are met. The principal requirements are:




        The Trust must be exclusively engaged in the leasing of mineral properties and activities incidental thereto.





        The Trust must not acquire any additional property other than permissible acquisitions as provided by Section 646.




If these requirements are violated, the Trust will be treated as a corporation for the taxable year in which the violation occurs and for all subsequent taxable years. Since the election of Section 646, the Trust has remained in compliance with these requirements.



NOTE G Lease Commitments

The Trust leases office facilities in Saint Paul, Minnesota. These leases include various renewal options and exclude any contingent rental provisions. Rental expense for these operating leases amounted to $61,823 in each of the years 2006, 2005 and 2004.



22

---



NOTE H Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of quarterly results of operations (unaudited) for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts):



Quarter EndedMarch 31
        
        June 30
        
        Sept. 30
        
        Dec. 312006Royalties
        
        $
        3,593
        
        $
        4,011
        
        $
        4,299
        
        $
        5,142Interest and other income
        
        
        118
        
        
        98
        
        
        112
        
        
        182Total Revenues
        
        
        3,711
        
        
        4,109
        
        
        4,411
        
        
        5,324Expenses
        
        
        738
        
        
        685
        
        
        678
        
        
        681Net income
        
        $
        2,973
        
        $
        3,424
        
        $
        3,733
        
        $
        4,643Earnings per share
        
        $
        1.98
        
        $
        2.28
        
        $
        2.49
        
        $
        3.102005Royalties
        
        $
        4,296
        
        $
        5,257
        
        $
        4,213
        
        $
        4,232Interest and other income
        
        
        95
        
        
        72
        
        
        90
        
        
        106Total Revenues
        
        
        4,391
        
        
        5,329
        
        
        4,303
        
        
        4,338Expenses
        
        
        646
        
        
        675
        
        
        622
        
        
        697Net income
        
        $
        3,745
        
        $
        4,654
        
        $
        3,681
        
        $
        3,641Earnings per share
        
        $
        2.50
        
        $
        3.10
        
        $
        2.45
        
        $
        2.43






23

---

REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP,

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM,

ON AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The Trustees

Great Northern Iron Ore Properties



We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Great Northern Iron Ore Properties as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related statements of beneficiaries equity, income and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust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 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, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Great Northern Iron Ore Properties as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.



As discussed in Note E to the financial statements, the Trust adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, in 2006.



We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Great Northern Iron Ore Properties internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control  Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 2, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.



/s/ Ernst & Young LLP



Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 2, 2007



24

---

REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP,

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM,

ON MANAGEMENTS REPORT ON

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Trustees

Great Northern Iron Ore Properties



We have audited managements assessment, included in the accompanying Managements Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Great Northern Iron Ore Properties maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control  Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Great Northern Iron Ore Properties management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on managements assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of Great Northern Iron Ore Properties 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, evaluating managements assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control 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 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

25

---

unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the companys assets
that could have a material effect on the 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.



In our opinion, managements assessment that Great Northern Iron Ore Properties maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, Great Northern Iron Ore Properties maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the COSO criteria.



We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 2006 financial statements of Great Northern Iron Ore Properties, and our report dated February 2, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.



/s/ Ernst & Young LLP



Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 2, 2007



26

---

GREAT NORTHERN IRON ORE PROPERTIES

SUMMARY OF SHIPMENTS



Full Tons ShippedNo.
        
        Mine
        
        OwnershipInterest
        
        2006
        
        2005
        
        2004
        
        Total toJanuary 1,20071.
        
        Mahoning
        
        100
        %
        1,199,898
        
        1,110,454
        
        1,047,642
        
        158,157,6562.
        
        Ontario 100%/Stevenson Townsite
        
        100
        %
        58
        
        919,954
        
        1,391,614
        
        11,740,0443.
        
        Ontario 50%
        
        50
        %
        927,331
        
        625,041
        
        1,343,700
        
        23,100,2294.
        
        L&W/Leetonia
        
        50%/~51
        %
        1,165,912
        
        60,021
        
        
        
        9,991,5685.
        
        Section 18 (Miss.Ent.)
        
        100
        %
        
        
        46,053
        
        29,645
        
        27,997,1596.
        
        Mississippi #3 (Miss.Ent.)
        
        100
        %
        857,856
        
        576,157
        
        396,194
        
        5,736,3427.
        
        Minntac
        
        100
        %
        4,700,864
        
        5,335,518
        
        4,958,405
        
        63,654,1118,851,919
        
        8,673,198
        
        9,167,200
        
        300,377,109Shipments from inactive mines and those exhausted, surrendered or sold prior to this year
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        356,099,477Total
        
        
        
        8,851,919
        
        8,673,198
        
        9,167,200
        
        656,476,586






No.
        
        Operating Interest1-4
        
        Hibbing Taconite Company5-6
        
        United States Steel Corporation  Keewatin Taconite Company7
        
        United States Steel Corporation  Minntac






27

---

NOTES

---

GREAT NORTHERN IRON ORE PROPERTIESW-1290 FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING332 MINNESOTA STREETSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101-1361
        
        FIRST CLASSU.S. POSTAGEPAIDPERMIT #43MINNEAPOLIS, MN 100th Anniversary 1906 ~ 2006










FIRST CLASS MAIL





---