Document:

Form of Fourth Supplemental Indenture

 Exhibit 4.1 
 CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC. 
 4.875% Notes due 2021 

Fourth Supplemental Indenture 
 Dated as of March 23, 2011 
 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 as Trustee 

 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 

							
	 	    	 	  	PAGE	 
	
	ARTICLE 1	  
	SCOPE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE; GENERAL	  
			
	 Section 1.01.
	    	Scope of Supplemental Indenture; General	  	 	2	  
	 Section 1.02.
	    	Terms of Notes	  	 	2	  
	
	ARTICLE 2	  
	CERTAIN DEFINITIONS	  
			
	 Section 2.01.
	    	Certain Definitions	  	 	3	  
	 Section 2.02.
	    	Rules of Construction	  	 	9	  
	
	ARTICLE 3	  
	COVENANTS	  
			
	 Section 3.01.
	    	Change of Control Triggering Event	  	 	9	  
	 Section 3.02.
	    	Restrictions on Liens	  	 	10	  
	 Section 3.03.
	    	Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions	  	 	11	  
	 Section 3.04.
	    	Applicability of Covenants Contained in the Base Indenture	  	 	12	  
	
	ARTICLE 4	  
	THE NOTES	  
			
	 Section 4.01.
	    	Form of Notes	  	 	12	  
	 Section 4.02.
	    	Depositary	  	 	12	  
	
	ARTICLE 5	  
	REDEMPTION	  
			
	 Section 5.01.
	    	Special Mandatory Redemption	  	 	13	  
	 Section 5.02.
	    	Optional Redemption	  	 	13	  
	 Section 5.03.
	    	Applicability of Sections of the Base Indenture	  	 	14	  
	
	ARTICLE 6	  
	DEFEASANCE	  
			
	 Section 6.01.
	    	Defeasance	  	 	14	  

  
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	ARTICLE 7	 
	MISCELLANEOUS	  
			
	 Section 7.01.
	    	GOVERNING LAW	  	 	14	  
	 Section 7.02.
	    	Recitals	  	 	14	  

 EXHIBIT: 

 

	A.	Form of 2021 Note 

  
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 FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of March 23, 2011 (“Fourth Supplemental
Indenture”) to the Indenture dated as of March 17, 2010 (the “Base Indenture” and as supplemented by this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), is by and among CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.,
an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (as defined in the Indenture, the “Trustee”). 
 RECITALS: 
 Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and
for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of 2021 Notes (as defined herein): 
 WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized
the execution and delivery of the Base Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Company’s debentures, notes, or other debt instruments (as defined in the Indenture, the “Securities”), to be issued in one
or more series, as in the Indenture provided; 
 WHEREAS, the Company desires and has requested the Trustee to join them in the
execution and delivery of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture in order to establish and provide for the issuance by the Company of a series of Securities designated as its 4.875% Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”), on the terms set
forth herein; 
 WHEREAS, the Company now wishes to issue 2021 Notes in an initial aggregate principal amount of $700,000,000;

 WHEREAS, Section 9.1 of the Base Indenture permits the Company and the Trustee to amend or supplement the Base Indenture
to establish the form and terms of any series of Securities without the consent of any Securityholder; 
 WHEREAS, the
conditions set forth in the Indenture for the execution and delivery of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture have been complied with; and 
 WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Fourth Supplemental Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, and a valid amendment of, and supplement to, the
Base Indenture have been done; 
 NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH: 

In consideration of the premises and the purchase and acceptance of the 2021 Notes by the Holders thereof and the Company mutually
covenant and agree with the Trustee, for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the 2021 Notes, that the Base Indenture is supplemented and amended, to the extent expressed herein, as follows: 

 ARTICLE 1 
 SCOPE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE; GENERAL 

Section 1.01. Scope of Supplemental Indenture; General. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture supplements and,
to the extent inconsistent therewith, replaces the provisions of the Base Indenture, to which provisions reference is hereby made. 
 The changes, modifications and supplements to the Base Indenture effected by this Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall be applicable only with respect to, and govern the terms of, the 2021 Notes (which
shall be initially in the aggregate principal amount of $700,000,000) and shall not apply to any other Securities that have been or may be issued under the Indenture unless a supplemental indenture with respect to such other Securities specifically
incorporates such changes, modifications and supplements. Pursuant to this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, there is hereby created and designated a series of Securities under the Indenture entitled “4.875% Notes due 2021.” The 2021 Notes
shall be in the form of Exhibit A hereto, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent any provision of the 2021 Notes conflicts with the express provisions of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the provisions of this
Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall govern and be controlling. 
 All 2021 Notes issued under this Fourth Supplemental Indenture
shall vote and consent together on all matters as one class, including without limitation on waivers and amendments, and no Holder of 2021 Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class from other Holders on any matter except
matters which affect such Holder only. 
 Section 1.02. Terms of Notes. The information applicable
to the 2021 Notes required pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Base Indenture is as follows: 
 (1) the title of the 2021 Notes
is “4.875% Senior Notes due 2021”; 
 (2) the 2021 Notes will be issued to the underwriters at a price of 99.247% of
the principal amount, resulting in total net proceeds to the Company of $694,729,000; the price to the public will be 99.897% of the principal amount; and 100% of the principal amount will be payable upon declaration of acceleration or maturity;

 (3) the initial aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes is $700,000,000; 

(4) principal will be payable as set forth in the form of 2021 Note; 

(5) the rate of interest and interest payment and record dates are as set forth in the form of 2021 Note; 

(6) as set forth in the form of 2021 Note; 
 (7) the 2021 Notes will be subject to optional redemption as set forth in Article 5 below; 

  
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 (8) not applicable; 

(9) not applicable; 
 (10) the 2021 Notes will be issuable in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000; 
 (11) the 2021 Notes shall be issuable as Global Securities and the provisions of Section 2.15 of the Indenture shall apply to the 2021 Notes; 

(12) not applicable; 
 (13) the 2021 Notes shall be issuable in Dollars; 
 (14) payment of the principal
and interest on the 2021 Notes shall be made in Dollars; 
 (15) not applicable; 

(16) not applicable; 
 (17) not applicable; 
 (18) not applicable; 

(19) the provisions of Article 3 herein setting forth Covenants shall be applicable to the 2021 Notes; 

(20) as set forth elsewhere herein; 
 (21) not applicable; 
 (22) not applicable; 

(23) the 2021 Notes shall be senior debt securities; and 
 (24) U.S. Bank National Association initially shall serve as the Trustee and Registrar and Paying Agent with respect to the 2021 Notes; 

ARTICLE 2 

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS 
 Section 2.01. Certain Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to the 2021 Notes. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Base
Indenture. 

  
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 “Acquisition” means the proposed acquisition by the Company
of all of the common shares of Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Limited as set forth in the Arrangement Agreement. 

“Arrangement Agreement” means the definitive arrangement agreement entered into between the Company and
Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Limited on January 11, 2011. 
 “Attributable Debt” means
the present value (discounted at the rate of interest implicit in the terms of the lease) of the obligation of a lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of any lease (including any period for which such lease has been extended or
may, at the option of the lessor, be extended). 
 “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the
following after the date of issuance of the 2021 Notes: 
 (a) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or
“group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to the Company or one of the Company’s Subsidiaries; 
 (b) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, it being agreed that an employee of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries for whom shares are held under an employee stock ownership, employee retirement, employee savings or similar plan
and whose shares are voted in accordance with the instructions of such employee shall not be a member of a “group” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) solely because such employee’s shares are held by a
trustee under said plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding
Voting Stock or of the Voting Stock of any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies; 
 (c) the Company
consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merge with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the Company’s outstanding Voting Stock or Voting Stock of
such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Company’s Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitutes, or is converted into or
exchanged for, Voting Stock representing at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person immediately after giving effect to such transaction; 

  
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 (d) the first day on which the majority of the members of the Board of Directors or the
board of directors of any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies are not Continuing Directors; or 
 (e) the
adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction
will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control solely because the Company becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company if the direct or indirect Holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately
following that transaction are substantially the same as the Holders of the Company’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction. 
 “Change of Control Offer” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01 of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. 

“Change of Control Payment” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01 of this Fourth Supplemental
Indenture. 
 “Change of Control Payment Date” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01 of
this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. 
 “Change of Control Triggering Event” means with respect to the 2021
Notes, (i) the rating of such 2021 Notes is lowered by each of the Rating Agencies on any date during the period (the “Trigger Period”) commencing on the earlier of (a) the occurrence of a Change of Control and
(b) the first public announcement by the Company of any Change of Control (or pending Change of Control), and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control (which Trigger Period will be extended following consummation of a
Change of Control for so long as any of the Rating Agencies has publicly announced that it is considering a possible ratings change), and (ii) such 2021 Notes are rated below Investment Grade by each of the Rating Agencies on any day during the
Trigger Period; provided that a Change of Control Trigger Event will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control if each Rating Agency making the reduction in rating does not publicly announce or confirm or
inform the Trustee at the Company’s request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the Change of Control. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Change of Control Triggering Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular
Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated. 
 “Comparable Treasury
Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance 

  
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with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the 2021 Notes. 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury
Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Company obtains fewer than six such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all
Quotations obtained. 
 “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the aggregate amount of assets (less
applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting therefrom (a) all current liabilities (excluding any indebtedness for money borrowed having a maturity of less than 12 months from the date of the most recent consolidated
balance sheet of the Company but which by its terms is renewable or extendable beyond 12 months from such date at the option of the borrower) and (b) all goodwill, trade names, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and any other like
intangibles, all as set forth on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 
 “Continuing Director” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the applicable board of directors who: (1) was a member of such board of directors on the date of issuance
of the 2021 Notes or (2) was nominated for election, elected or appointed to such board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board of directors at the time of such nomination,
election or appointment (either by a specific vote or by approval of a proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director). 
 “Debt” means indebtedness for money borrowed that in accordance with applicable generally accepted accounting principles would be reflected on the balance sheet of the obligor as a
liability as of the date on which Debt is to be determined. 
 “Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary that
owns or leases any Principal Property except a Subsidiary (a) that transacts any substantial portion of its business and regularly maintains any substantial portion of its fixed assets outside of the United States or (b) that is engaged
primarily in financing the operation of the Company or the Company’s Subsidiaries, or both, outside the United States. 

“DTC” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.02 of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. 

“Event of Default” means any event specified as such in Section 6.1 of the Base Indenture. 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

  
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 “Global Note” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.01 of
this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. 
 “Global Note Holder” has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 4.02 of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. 
 “Independent Investment Banker” means one of the
Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company. 
 “Investment Grade” means a rating of Baa3 or better by
Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of Moody’s) and a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of S&P), and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from
any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by the Company under the circumstances permitting the Company to select a replacement agency and in the manner for selecting a replacement agency, in each case as set forth in the definition
of “Rating Agency.” 
 “Issue Date” means March 23, 2011. 

“Liens” means any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance. 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.

 “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, business trust,
association, joint-stock company, joint venture, trust, incorporated or unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. 
 “Primary Treasury Dealer” means a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States. 
 “Principal Property” means a single manufacturing or processing plant, warehouse distribution facility or office owned or leased by the Company or a Domestic Subsidiary which has a net
book value in excess of 5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets other than a plant, warehouse, office, or portion thereof which, in the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, is not of material importance to the business conducted by the
Company and its Subsidiaries as an entirety. 
 “Rating Agency” means each of Moody’s and S&P;
provided, that if any of Moody’s or S&P ceases to provide rating services to issuers or investors, the Company may appoint another “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule
15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act as a replacement for such Rating Agency. 

  
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 “Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, their respective successors and two other nationally recognized investment banking firms that are Primary Treasury Dealers specified from time to time by the
Company, except that if any of the foregoing ceases to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall designate as a substitute another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary Treasury Dealer. 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date,
the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer as of 3:30
p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date. 
 “S&P” means
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors. 

“Special Mandatory Redemption” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.01 of this Fourth Supplemental
Indenture. 
 “Special Mandatory Redemption Date” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.01 of
this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. 
 “Subsidiary” means any corporation, partnership or other legal entity
(a) the accounts of which are consolidated with the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and (b) of which, in the case of a corporation, more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock is owned, directly
or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries or, in the case of any partnership or other legal entity, more than 50% of the ordinary equity capital interests is, at the
time, directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the Company or by one or more of the Subsidiaries or by the Company and one or more of the Subsidiaries. 
 “Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third business day immediately
preceding such redemption date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. 

“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the capital stock of such Person that is at the time
entitled to vote generally in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person. 
 “2021 Notes” has the
meaning ascribed to it in the preamble of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. 

  
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 Section 2.02. Rules of Construction. Unless the context
otherwise requires or except as otherwise expressly provided, the term “interest” in this Indenture shall be construed to include additional interest, if any. 
 ARTICLE 3 
 COVENANTS 

The following covenants shall apply in addition to the covenants set forth in the Indenture: 

Section 3.01 Change of Control Triggering Event.  

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the 2021 Notes
pursuant to Section 5.02, by giving irrevocable notice to the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture, each Holder of 2021 Notes shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or a portion of such Holder’s 2021 Notes pursuant
to the offer described in this Section 3.01 (the “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (the
“Change of Control Payment”), subject to the rights of Holders of 2021 Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. 

(b) Unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the 2021 Notes, within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of
Control Triggering Event occurred with respect to the 2021 Notes or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control but after the public announcement of the pending Change of Control, the Company shall be required to send, by first
class mail, a notice to each Holder of 2021 Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, which notice shall govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer. Such notice shall state, among other things, the purchase date, which must be no earlier than 30 days
nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, other than as may be required by law (the “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, shall state
that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control being consummated on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date. 
 (c) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful: 
 (i) accept or cause a third party to accept for payment all 2021 Notes or portions of 2021 Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; 

(ii) deposit or cause a third party to deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in
respect of all 2021 Notes or portions of 2021 Notes properly tendered; and 

  
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 (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the 2021 Notes
properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes or portions of 2021 Notes being repurchased and that all conditions precedent to the Change of Control Offer and to the repurchase by
the Company of 2021 Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer have been complied with. 
 (d) The Company shall not be
required to make a Change of Control Offer if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for such an offer made by the Company and such third party purchases all 2021 Notes
properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. 
 Section 3.02. Restrictions on Liens.

 (a) The Company will not, nor will it permit any Domestic Subsidiary to, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Debt secured by
a Lien upon any Principal Property or on any shares of stock or indebtedness of any Domestic Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or indebtedness is now owned or hereafter acquired) without in any such case effectively
providing that the 2021 Notes (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Company or such Domestic Subsidiary ranking equally with the 2021 Notes then existing or thereafter created) shall be
secured equally and ratably with such Debt. 
 (b) The restrictions set forth in paragraph (a) in this Section 3.02
shall not apply to: 
 (i) Liens on property, shares of stock or indebtedness of or guaranteed by any Person
existing at the time such Person becomes a Domestic Subsidiary; 
 (ii) Liens on property existing at the time of
acquisition thereof, or to secure the payment of all or part of the purchase or construction price of property, or to secure Debt incurred or guaranteed for the purpose of financing all or part of the purchase or construction price of property or
the cost of improvements on property, which Debt is incurred or guaranteed prior to, at the time of, or within 180 days after the later of such acquisition or completion of such improvements or construction or commencement of commercial operation of
the property; 
 (iii) Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary; 

(iv) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a
Domestic Subsidiary or at the time of a purchase, lease or other acquisition of the property of a Person as an entirety or substantially as an entirety by the Company or a Domestic Subsidiary; 

  
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 (v) Liens on the property of the Company or that of a Domestic Subsidiary in
favor of the United States of America or any State thereof, or any political subdivision thereof, or in favor of any other country, or any political subdivision thereof, to secure certain payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any
indebtedness incurred or guaranteed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of construction of the property subject to such Liens (including, but not limited to, Liens incurred in connection with pollution
control industrial revenue bond or similar financing); 
 (vi) Liens imposed by law, for example mechanics’,
workmen’s, repairmen’s or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business; 
 (vii)
pledges or deposits under workmen’s compensation or similar legislation or in certain other circumstances; 

(viii) Liens in connection with legal proceedings; 

(ix) Liens for taxes or assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or delinquent, of which can thereafter
be paid without penalty, or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; 
 (x) Liens
consisting of restrictions on the use of real property that do not interfere materially with the property’s use; 
 (xi) Liens existing on the date of the Indenture; and 
 (xii) any
refinancing, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, extensions, renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, of any Lien referred to in any of the foregoing clauses. 

(c) Notwithstanding the above, the Company and any one or more of its Subsidiaries may, without securing the 2021 Notes, incur, issue,
assume or guarantee secured Debt which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions, provided that after giving effect thereto the aggregate amount of Debt which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions then outstanding
(not including secured Debt permitted under the foregoing exceptions) plus Attributable Debt relating to sale and leaseback transactions (as described below) does not exceed 15% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. 

Section 3.03. Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions  

(a) The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Domestic Subsidiary to enter into a sale and leaseback transaction of any Principal
Property (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), unless 

  
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 (i) the Company or such Domestic Subsidiary would be entitled under the
Indenture, to issue, assume or guarantee Debt secured by a Lien upon such Principal Property at least equal in amount to the Attributable Debt in respect of such transaction without equally and ratably securing the 2021 Notes, provided that,
such Attributable Debt shall thereupon be deemed to be Debt subject to the provisions of Section 3.02 or 

(ii) within 180 days, an amount in cash equal to such Attributable Debt is applied to the retirement of Funded Debt (debt
that matures at or is extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor to a date more than twelve months after the date of the creation of such Debt) ranking pari passu with the 2021 Notes, an amount not less than the greater of
(i) the net proceeds of the sale of the Principal Property leased pursuant to the arrangement or (ii) the fair market value of the Principal Property so leased. 
 (b) The restrictions set forth in paragraph (a) in this Section 3.03 shall not apply to: 
 (i) a sale and leaseback transaction between the Company and a Domestic Subsidiary or between Domestic Subsidiaries, or that involves the taking back of a lease for a period of less than three years, or

 (ii) if, at the time of the sale and leaseback transaction, after giving effect to the transaction, the total
discounted net amount of rent required to be paid during the remaining term of any lease relating to sale and leaseback transactions (other than transactions permitted by the previous bullet points) plus all outstanding secured Debt pursuant to
Section 3.02 above, does not exceed 15% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. 

Section 3.04. Applicability of Covenants Contained in the Base Indenture. Each of the agreements and
covenants of the Company contained in Article IV of the Base Indenture shall apply to the 2021 Notes. 
 ARTICLE 4 

THE NOTES 
 Section 4.01. Form of Notes. The 2021 Notes will initially be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities substantially in the form of Annex A attached hereto (the “Global
Note”). 
 Section 4.02. Depositary. The Depositary for the Global Notes will initially be
The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and the Global Notes will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC (such nominee being referred to herein as the
“Global Note Holder”). 

  
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 ARTICLE 5 
 REDEMPTION 
 Section 5.01. Special
Mandatory Redemption. 
 (a) The 2021 Notes will be subject to a special mandatory redemption in the event the Acquisition is
not consummated on or prior to July 29, 2011, or if prior to July 29, 2011, the Arrangement Agreement governing the Acquisition is terminated other than in connection with the consummation of the Acquisition and is not otherwise amended or
replaced (each such event, a “redemption event”). In such an event, the 2021 Notes will be redeemed at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest from the Issue Date to, but excluding, the
Special Mandatory Redemption Date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”). The “Special Mandatory Redemption Date” means the date no later than the tenth business day following the earlier to occur of
(a) July 29, 2011, if the Acquisition has not been completed on or prior to July 29, 2011 and (b) the date that the Arrangement Agreement is terminated other than in connection with the consummation of the Acquisition and is not
otherwise amended or replaced. 
 (b) The Company, either directly or through the Trustee on its behalf, will cause a notice of
the Special Mandatory Redemption to be mailed, with a copy to the Trustee, not later than five business days after the occurrence of the redemption event to each Holder at its registered address. Such notice will also specify the Special Mandatory
Redemption Date. If funds sufficient to pay the Special Mandatory Redemption price of all 2021 Notes to be redeemed on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date are deposited with the paying agent on or before such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, and
certain other conditions set forth in the Base Indenture are satisfied, on and after such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, the 2021 Notes will cease to bear interest and all rights under the 2021 Notes shall terminate. 

Section 5.02. Optional Redemption.  
 (a) The 2021 Notes will be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed to the
Holders of the 2021 Notes, with a copy provided to the Trustee. 
 (b) If the 2021 Notes are redeemed before the date that is
three months prior to their maturity date, the 2021 Notes will be redeemable at a redemption price, to be calculated by the Company, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, equal to the greater of: 

(i) 100% of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes being redeemed; and 

  
 13 

 (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of
principal and interest on the 2021 Notes to be redeemed (not including interest accrued to the date of redemption), discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury
Rate plus 25 basis points. 
 (c) If the 2021 Notes are redeemed on or after the date that is three months prior to their
maturity date, the 2021 Notes will be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. 

Section 5.03. Applicability of Sections of the Base Indenture. The provisions of Article III of the Base
Indenture in respect of the 2021 Notes shall apply to any optional redemption of the 2021 Notes except when such provisions conflict with the foregoing. 
 ARTICLE 6 
 DEFEASANCE 

Section 6.01. Defeasance. If the Company shall effect a defeasance of the 2021 Notes pursuant to Article VIII
of the Base Indenture, the Company shall cease to have any obligation to comply with the covenants set forth in Article 3 hereof. 
 ARTICLE 7 
 MISCELLANEOUS 

Section 7.01. GOVERNING LAW. THIS FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE 2021 NOTES WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW. 
 Section 7.02. Recitals. The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness 

  
 14 

 SIGNATURES 
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fourth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written. 

 

			
	CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
		
	By:	 	  

		 	Name:
		 	Title:

  

			
	 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

		
	By:	 	  

		 	Name:
		 	Title:

 EXHIBIT A 
 [FORM OF 2021 NOTE] 

 [FACE OF 2021 NOTE] 

THIS CERTIFICATE IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE
DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE INDENTURE, THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE TRANSFERRED, IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART, ONLY TO ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR TO A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR
DEPOSITORY. 
 UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK
CORPORATION (“DTC” OR THE “DEPOSITORY”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR
TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INSOMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. 
 CLIFFS
NATURAL RESOURCES INC. 
 $[—] 

4.875% Senior Note due 2021 
  

			
	No.:	 	CUSIP No.: 18683KAD3

CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio (herein called the
“Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of $[—] on April 1, 2021, unless earlier redeemed as herein provided, and to pay interest thereon from March 23, 2011 or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or
duly provided for, semi-annually on October 1 and April 1 in each year, commencing October 1, 2011, at the rate of 4.875% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. 

 The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any interest payment
date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this 2021 Note is registered at the close of business on the March 15 or September 15 preceding the relevant interest payment date, except that interest payable
at maturity shall be paid to the same Persons to whom principal of this 2021 Note is payable. Interest will be computed on this 2021 Note on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. 

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this 2021 Note shall be made at the office or agency of the Trustee
maintained for that purpose in St. Paul, Minnesota, in such currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, for so long as the 2021 Notes are represented
in global form by one or more Global Securities, all payments of principal (and premium, if any) and interest shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner
of the Global Security representing such 2021 Notes. 
 Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this 2021 Note set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. 
 Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this 2021 Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the
Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this
instrument to be duly executed. 
  

					
	CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
		
	By:	 	  
		 	Name:	 	
		 	Title:	 	

 Dated: 

 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION 

This is one of the Securities of the Series designated therein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture. 

 

					
	 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

		
	By:	 	  
		 	Name:	 	
		 	Title:	 	

 [Form of Reverse of 2021 Note] 

This 2021 Note is one of the duly authorized securities of the Company (herein called the “2021 Notes”) issued and to be
issued in one or more series under an Indenture dated as of March 17, 2010 (the “Base Indenture”), as amended by a Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated March 23, 2011 (the “Fourth Supplemental Indenture,”
together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture with respect to
the series of 2021 Notes represented hereby), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the
Trustee and the Holders of the 2021 Notes and of the terms upon which the 2021 Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This 2021 Note is one of the Global Notes representing the Company’s 4.875% Senior Notes due 2021 in the
aggregate principal amount of $700,000,000. 
 The amount of interest payable on any interest payment date shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this 2021 Note is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day
that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on such interest payment date. 
 “Acquisition” means the proposed acquisition by the Company of all of the common shares of Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Limited as set forth in the Arrangement Agreement. 

“Arrangement Agreement” means the definitive arrangement agreement entered into between the Company and Consolidated
Thompson Iron Mines Limited on January 11, 2011. 
 “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the
following after the date of issuance of the 2021 Notes: 
 (a) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries taken as a whole

 
to any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to the Company or one of the Company’s Subsidiaries;

 (b) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is
that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, it being agreed that an employee of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries for whom shares are held under an
employee stock ownership, employee retirement, employee savings or similar plan and whose shares are voted in accordance with the instructions of such employee shall not be a member of a “group” (as that term is used in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) solely because such employee’s shares are held by a trustee under said plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of Voting Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding Voting Stock or of the Voting Stock of any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies; 

(c) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merge with or into, the
Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the Company’s outstanding Voting Stock or Voting Stock of such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such
transaction where the Company’s Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitutes, or is converted into or exchanged for, Voting Stock representing at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the
surviving Person immediately after giving effect to such transaction; 
 (d) the first day on which the majority of the members
of the Company’s Board of Directors or the board of directors of any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies are not Continuing Directors; or 
 (e) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control solely because the Company becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company if the
direct or indirect Holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the Holders of the Company’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction. 

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means with respect to the 2021 Notes, (i) the rating of such 2021 Notes is
lowered by each of the Rating Agencies on any date during the period (the “Trigger Period”) commencing on the earlier of (a) the occurrence of a Change of Control and (b) the first public announcement by the Company of any
Change of Control (or pending Change of Control), and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control (which Trigger Period will be extended following consummation of a Change of Control for so long as any of the Rating Agencies has
publicly announced that it is considering a possible ratings change), and (ii) such 2021 Notes are rated below Investment Grade by each of the Rating Agencies on any day during the Trigger Period; provided that a Change of Control

 
Trigger Event will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control if each Rating Agency making the reduction in rating does not publicly announce or confirm or inform
the Trustee at the Company’s request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the Change of Control. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Change of Control Triggering Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular
Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated. 
 “Comparable Treasury
Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt
securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the 2021 Notes. 
 “Comparable Treasury Price”
means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Company
obtains fewer than six such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all Quotations obtained. 
 “Continuing
Director” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the applicable board of directors who: (1) was a member of such board of directors on the date of issuance of the 2021 Notes or (2) was nominated for election,
elected or appointed to such board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board of directors at the time of such nomination, election or appointment (either by a specific vote or by approval
of a proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director). 
 “Investment
Grade” means a rating of Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of Moody’s) and a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of S&P),
and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by the Company under the circumstances permitting the Company to select a replacement agency and in the manner for selecting a
replacement agency, in each case as set forth in the definition of “Rating Agency.” 
 “Moody’s”
means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors. 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, association,
joint-stock company, joint venture, trust, incorporated or unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. 

 “Primary Treasury Dealer” means a primary U.S. government securities dealer
in the United States. 
 “Rating Agency” means each of Moody’s and S&P; provided, that if any
of Moody’s or S&P ceases to provide rating services to issuers or investors, the Company may appoint another “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange
Act as a replacement for such Rating Agency. 
 “Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of Citigroup Global
Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, their respective successors and two other nationally recognized investment banking firms that are Primary Treasury Dealers specified from time
to time by the Company, except that if any of the foregoing ceases to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall designate as a substitute another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary Treasury Dealer. 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date,
the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer as of 3:30
p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date. 
 “S&P” means
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors. 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield
to maturity (computed as of the third Business Day immediately preceding such redemption date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the
Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. 
 “Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date
means the capital stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such Person. 
 The indebtedness evidenced by this 2021 Note is, to the extent provided in the Indenture, senior and unsecured and will rank equal in right of payment to all other existing and future unsecured and
unsubordinated obligations of the Company. 
 The 2021 Notes are initially limited to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount.
The Company may, from time to time, without notice or the consent of the Holders hereof, create and issue additional securities ranking equally and ratably with the 2021 Notes of this series in all respects (other than the issue price, the date of
the issuance, the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such additional 2021 Notes and the first payment of interest following the issue date of such additional 2021 Notes), provided that such additional 2021 Notes shall be
part of the same issue as the 2021 Notes issued on the date hereof for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any such 

 
additional 2021 Notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with the 2021 Notes issued on the date hereof, including for purposes of voting and redemptions. 

The 2021 Notes are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. 

The Company may, at its option, at any time and from time to time, redeem the 2021 Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed to each Holder of 2021 Notes to be redeemed at his address as it appears in the register. If the 2021 Notes are redeemed before the date that is three months prior to their maturity date, the 2021 Notes
will be redeemable at a redemption price, to be calculated by the Company, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, equal to the greater of: (i) 100% of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes being redeemed; and (ii) the
sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the 2021 Notes to be redeemed (not including interest accrued to the date of redemption), discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a
360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points. If the 2021 Notes are redeemed on or after the date that is three months prior to their maturity date, the 2021 Notes will be redeemed at a redemption price
equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. 

On and after any redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the 2021 Notes called for redemption. Prior to any redemption date,
the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the 2021 Notes to be redeemed on such date. If the Company is redeeming less than all of the 2021 Notes, the Trustee shall select
the 2021 Notes to be redeemed by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate in accordance with methods generally used at the time of selection by fiduciaries in similar circumstances. 

In the event of redemption of this 2021 Note in part only, a new 2021 Note or 2021 Notes of this series and of like tenor for the
unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof. 
 The 2021 Notes will
be subject to a special mandatory redemption in the event the Acquisition is not consummated on or prior to July 29, 2011, or if prior to July 29, 2011, the Arrangement Agreement governing the Acquisition is terminated other than in
connection with the consummation of the Acquisition and is not otherwise amended or replaced (each such event, a “redemption event”). In such an event, the 2021 Notes will be redeemed at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount
thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest from the Issue Date to, but excluding, the special mandatory redemption date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”). The “Special Mandatory Redemption Date” means the date no
later than the tenth business day following the earlier to occur of (a) July 29, 2011, if the Acquisition has not been completed on or prior to July 29, 2011 and (b) the date that the Arrangement Agreement is terminated other
than in connection with the consummation of the Acquisition and is not otherwise amended or replaced. 
 The Company, either
directly or through the Trustee on its behalf, will cause a notice of the special mandatory redemption to be mailed, with a copy to the Trustee, not later than five business days after the occurrence of the redemption event to each Holder at its
registered address. Such notice will also specify the Special Mandatory Redemption Date. If funds sufficient to pay the Special Mandatory Redemption price of all 2021 Notes to be redeemed on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date are deposited with
the paying agent on or before such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, and certain other conditions set forth in the Base Indenture are satisfied, on and after such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, the 2021 Notes will cease to bear interest and all
rights under the 2021 Notes shall terminate. 
 Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, unless the Company
has exercised its right to redeem the 2021 Notes as described above by giving irrevocable notice to the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture, each Holder of 2021 Notes shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or a portion of
such Holder’s 2021 Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price equal to 101% of 

 
the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”), subject to the rights of Holders of 2021 Notes
on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. 
 Unless the Company has exercised
its right to redeem the 2021 Notes, within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of Control Triggering Event occurred with respect to the 2021 Notes or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control but after the public
announcement of the pending Change of Control, the Company shall be required to send, by first class mail, a notice to each Holder of 2021 Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, which notice shall govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer. Such
notice shall state, among other things, the purchase date, which must be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, other than as may be required by law (the “Change of Control Payment
Date”). The notice, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, shall state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control being consummated on or prior to the Change of Control Payment
Date. 
 On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful: (i) accept or cause a third party
to accept for payment all 2021 Notes or portions of 2021 Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; (ii) deposit or cause a third party to deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in
respect of all 2021 Notes or portions of 2021 Notes properly tendered; and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the 2021 Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount
of 2021 Notes or portions of 2021 Notes being repurchased and that all conditions precedent to the Change of Control Offer and to the repurchase by the Company of 2021 Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer have been complied with.

 The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at
the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for such an offer made by the Company and such third party purchases all 2021 Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. 

The Company will comply in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the purchase of the 2021 Notes as a result of a Change of Control
Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of the 2021 Notes, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and
will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of the 2021 Notes by virtue of such conflict. 
 The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company to, among other things, merge or consolidate with any other Person, and requires that the Company comply with certain further
covenants, such as Restriction on Liens and Restriction on Sale and Leaseback 

 
Transactions, as further described in the Indenture, all of which are applicable to this 2021 Note. All such covenants and limitations are subject to a number of important qualifications and
exceptions. The Company must report periodically to the Trustee on compliance with the covenants in the Indenture. 
 The
Indenture contains provisions for the defeasance at any time of (a) the entire indebtedness of the Company on this 2021 Note and (b) certain restrictive covenants and the related Defaults and Events of Default, upon compliance by the
Company with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions apply to this 2021 Note. 
 If an Event of Default with
respect to 2021 Notes of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the 2021 Notes of this series may (subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture) be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in
the Indenture. 
 The Indenture contains provisions permitting, with certain exceptions therein provided, the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2021 Notes to modify and amend the Indenture for the purpose of, among other things, cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency. 

The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2021 Notes,
on behalf of all of the Holders of all 2021 Notes, to waive a Default or Event of Default with respect to the 2021 Notes and its consequences, except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on
any of the 2021 Notes or in respect of a covenant or other provision which, under the terms of the Indenture, cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding 2021 Note. Any such consent or waiver by the registered
Holder of this 2021 Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this 2021 Note and of any 2021 Note issued in exchange for or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or otherwise), irrespective
of whether or not any notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this 2021 Note. 
 No reference herein to the Indenture
and no provision of this 2021 Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this 2021 Note at the times, place and rate, and
in the currency, herein prescribed. 
 As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the
transfer of this 2021 Note is registrable in the Registrar’s books, upon surrender of this 2021 Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this
2021 Note are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and
thereupon one or more new of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and 

 
for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. 
 The 2021 Notes of this series are issuable only in registered form in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, 2021 Notes of this Series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. 

No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. 
 Prior to due presentment of
this 2021 Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this 2021 Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this 2021 Note be
overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary. 
 This 2021 Note
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. 
 All terms used in this 2021 Note
which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. 
 To the extent any provision of
this 2021 Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.Assignment of Membership Interest

 Exhibit 10.1 

ASSIGNMENT OF MEMBERSHIP INTEREST 

This Assignment of Interest (this “Assignment”) is made as of the 18th day of March 2011 from Harold Hamm (the “Assignor”)
to Continental Resources, Inc. (the “Assignee”). 
 Recitals: 

 

	 	A.	Assignor owns all of the limited liability company interests and membership rights (collectively the “Membership Interest”) in 20 Broadway Associates
LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company (the “Company”); and 

  

	 	B.	Assignor desires to convey to Assignee all of the Membership Interest and any and all of Assignor’s right, title, and interest of any nature whatsoever in the
Company (such interests and the Membership Interest being referred to in this Assignment as the “Assigned Interests”) and Assignee desires to acquire the Assigned Interests; 

In consideration of the foregoing, twenty-two million nine hundred sixty-one thousand six hundred twenty-eight and No/100 Dollars
($22,961,628), consisting of the purchase price of 20 North Broadway, commissions and related closing costs, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Assignor and Assignee agree as
follows: 
  

	 	1.	Assignor hereby grants, bargains, sells, transfers, assigns, and conveys to Assignee, its legal representatives, successors, and assigns the Assigned Interests and
warrants the same to be free and clear of any and all lawful security interests, liens, claims, or encumbrances of any nature, made or suffered to be made by, through, or under Assignor, but not otherwise. 

 

	 	2.	Assignor further represents and warrants that he knows of no claim or threatened cause of action, which if pursued or filed would constitute a valid lien or encumbrance
against any of the Assigned Interests or any asset of the Company. 

  

	 	3.	Assignor hereby appoints Assignee as Assignor’s agent to transfer the Assigned Interests on the books of the Company and to take such other and further actions as
may be necessary to give full effect to the assignment intended hereby. 

  

	 	4.	Assignor agrees to execute such other and further instruments, to take such other and further actions, and provide such further assurances as may be requested by
Assignee to give full effect to the assignment intended hereby. 

  

	 	5.	Assignee hereby accepts the foregoing assignment of the Assigned Interests. 

	 	6.	This Assignment shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Assignor and Assignee and their respective legal representatives, successors, and assigns.

  

	 	7.	This Assignment shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma. 

 

			
	Assignor:	 	 /s/ Harold Hamm

		 	Harold Hamm
		
	Assignee:	 	 /s/ John Hart

		 	Continental Resources, Inc.
		 	By: John Hart, CFO

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