Document:

Employment Letter Agreement effective as of February 11, 2011

 EXHIBIT 10a. 
 

 
 February 4, 2011 
 Dear Beatrice: 
 The purpose of this letter is to summarize the general terms of
your long-term assignment to the U.S. commencing on February 21, 2011 (your “U.S. Assignment”). Upon commencement of your U.S. Assignment, your three-year, short-term expatriate assignment (“Prior Expatriate Assignment”)
will terminate and you will no longer be entitled to benefits under the Prior Expatriate Assignment. In addition, during your U.S. Assignment, your French employment contract with Bristol-Myers Squibb SARL (your “French Contract”) will be
suspended. 
 Position 
 You will continue to hold the position of Senior Vice President Commercial Operations and President Global Commercialization, Europe and Emerging Markets, and you will report to Lamberto Andreotti, Chief
Executive Officer. Your position will be changed from level E12A to level E12. Your U.S. Assignment will begin February 21, 2011 and your work location will be Lawrenceville, N.J. You are currently in the U.S. on an L-1 visa. The company will
provide you with legal services to assist you in retaining your visa or applying for a U.S. green card, as appropriate. 
 Compensation

 Your compensation will be as follows: 

 

							
	 	  	Current	  	Proposed	  	% Increase
	 Grade Level
	  	E12A	  	E12	  	
	 Base Salary
	  	€577,797
 ($791,582)
	  	$800,000	  	1%
	 Target Bonus %
	  	90%	  	100%	  	
	 Target Total Cash
	  	€1,097,814

($1,504,005)
	  	$1,600,000	  	6%
	 LTI Target Value
	  	€1,176,341

($1,611,587)
	  	$1,830,273	  	
	 Target Total Direct Comp
	  	€2,274,155

($3,115,592)
	  	$3,430,273	  	10%

 You will be paid every other week in accordance with U.S. payroll procedures. You may need
to complete a Form W-4 to ensure that proper federal, state and social security deductions are made for U.S. tax purposes. 
 During your U.S.
Assignment, you will no longer be paid from the BMS French payroll. 
 Special Incentive Award 

In recognition of your value and criticality to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, you will be granted a special RSU award valued at $500,000
as an additional bonus for accepting your U.S. Assignment. This award will vest one-third on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant date. 
 Benefits 
 Healthcare – Social Security: During your
U.S. Assignment, you will continue to participate in the company’s FLEX benefits program. There are medical plan choices in the U.S. FLEX benefits program that provide benefits for global medical care. Additionally, you will have the
opportunity to continue your French Social Security/healthcare program through the Caisse des Francais de l’Etranger (“CFE”) organization and you will also be eligible for continuation of the French BMS healthcare program, currently
through AON. If you continue your French Social Security/healthcare program, you will decide the level of coverage that will apply to you as of the commencement date of your U.S. Assignment, such coverage being at least at a similar level of
coverage as the one applied to you before your U.S. Assignment. The same cost-sharing arrangements applied before your U.S. Assignment will continue for you. As the cost for this coverage may change as a result of legal increases/decreases and legal
changes to the company/employee cost-sharing arrangement, your contributions may also change accordingly. 
 Disability:
During your U.S. Assignment, you will be covered by the company’s U.S. disability programs. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to continue your French government-provided disability coverage through the CFE organization. A similar
level of coverage as the one applied before your U.S. Assignment through AXA will apply to you during the U.S. Assignment. If you wish to continue this French coverage during your U.S. Assignment, the same cost-sharing arrangements applied before
your U.S. Assignment will continue for you. As the cost for this coverage may change as a result of legal increases/decreases and legal changes to the company/employee cost-sharing arrangement, your contributions will also change accordingly. The
company contribution for this coverage will be taxable income to you in the U.S. 
 If you wish to continue your French
government-provided disability coverage, you will also be eligible for continuation in the French BMS supplemental disability program currently provided through AXA. As the rates increase/decrease for active employees under the supplemental program,
your contribution will also change accordingly. The company contribution for this supplemental coverage will be taxable income to you in the U.S. 

  
 -2-

 Retirement: During your U.S. Assignment, your participation in the French Top Hat
pension plan (the “French Plan”) will be suspended. In the event the U.S. Assignment is terminated and your French Contract is reinstated pursuant to the Termination provision below, you will receive pension benefits that will be
determined by the terms of the French Plan in effect at the time of your retirement. As set forth under the terms of the French Plan and despite the suspension of your French Contract, you will receive credited service during your U.S. Assignment
and the pay used in the calculation of your pension will be based on the remuneration as defined in the French Plan it being specified that the applicable compensation to consider would be the average of the last three years of remuneration you
received by any company of the Group (as defined in the French Plan). 
 Based on the U.S./France social security treaty, your
time in the U.S. Social Security system will count toward credited time in the French Social Security system for pension purposes. However, in order to continue to accrue quarters of credit in the French system (Social Security, ARRCO/AGIRC) during
your U.S. Assignment, you have the opportunity to continue participation through the CFE. Continuation of Social Security coverage via the CFE (CRE for ARRCO and IRCAFEX for AGIRC) requires company and employee contributions based on a percentage of
pay in relation to the Social Security limits in France. During your U.S. Assignment, the same cost-sharing arrangements before your U.S. assignment will continue for you. The company cost will be taxable income to you in the U.S. based on the U.S.
tax limits for contributions to retirement plans. These costs are subject to change each year according to legal provisions and will impact your contributions accordingly. 
 You will not be eligible to enroll in the U.S. Savings and Investment Program (401k) given that, under the terms of this letter, your employment service in the U.S. will count toward your
government-provided and French Plan benefits in France. 
 Unemployment: During your U.S. assignment, you are able to
retain your French unemployment coverage by making a contribution to the Pole Emploi Expat pursuant to the same cost-sharing arrangements applied before your U.S. Assignment. This amount is subject to change each year according to legal provisions
and will impact your contribution accordingly. 
 Tax Treatment Under French Benefit Programs: In the event you obtain a
green card, all company contributions to the French benefit programs would become taxable income to you in the U.S. 
 Change-in-Control
Agreement 
 You will continue to be eligible to receive benefits set forth in the Change-in-Control Agreement signed by
you on January 6, 2008. This Change-in-Control Agreement may be modified pursuant to the terms set forth in the Change-in-Control Agreement. 

  
 -3-

 Tax Preparation 
 The company will provide U.S. federal and state tax preparation services for the year 2011, which is the transition year of your Prior Expatriate Assignment into the U.S. Assignment. 

Relocation & Allowances 
 Housing: During your U.S. Assignment, you will become responsible for your housing expenses. If you decide to purchase a home, the company will cover reasonable and customary costs related to the
purchase, including closing costs and legal fees, as defined in the company’s Relocation Policy. 
 If you move to another
residence (either rental or purchase), the company will pay for the local move and provide a one-time relocation allowance of $5,000 pursuant to the company’s Relocation Policy. This amount will be taxable income to you in the U.S. You will
remain eligible for the above relocation benefits for up to one year from the commencement of your U.S. Assignment. 
 Termination of
Employment 
 Nothing in this letter agreement shall confer on you (i) any right to continue in the employ of the
company or any subsidiary, (ii) any specific position or level of employment with the company or any subsidiary, or (iii) affect in any way the right of the company or any subsidiary to terminate your U.S. Assignment without prior notice
at any time for any reason or no reason. 
 In the event you are terminated from your U.S. Assignment, or in the event you
terminate your U.S. Assignment, your French Contract will be automatically reinstated. The seniority acquired during your U.S. Assignment will be taken over for the purpose of your French Contract and/or for the purpose of any new employment
contract that you would sign with any BMS entity after the end of your U.S. Assignment. 
 In the event of your voluntary
termination of the U.S. Assignment (“voluntary termination”), or an involuntary termination for misconduct or other conduct deemed by the company to be detrimental to the interests of the company (a termination “for cause”), your
return transportation and the expenses for shipping your household goods will not be reimbursed. 
 In the event your U.S.
Assignment is involuntarily terminated not for cause by the company, the company will be responsible for the cost of return economy class airfare for you, and the reasonable costs associated with the shipment of your household goods if you elect to
return to France. 

  
 -4-

 Governing Law 
 Any dispute arising under the terms of this letter or in connection with your assignment shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of New Jersey under the laws of the State of New Jersey, the work
location during your U.S. Assignment, and applicable U.S. Federal Law. 
 Sincerely, 

 

	
	 /s/ John E. Celentano

	 John E. Celentano

	Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Public Affairs and Philanthropy

 Accepted: 
  

			
	 /s/ Beatrice Cazala
	  	 Date: 02/11/11

	 Beatrice Cazala
	  	
	 Senior Vice President Commercial Operations and
 President Global Commercialization, Europe and
 Emerging Markets
	  	

  
 -5-EX-10.1

 Exhibit 10.1 
 SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND RELEASE 
 Before signing this Severance
Agreement and Release (“Release”), you should carefully review the Summary Plan Description for the Cliffs Natural Resources Employee Severance Plan and the Summary Plan Description Addendum for the Involuntary Severance of Salaried
Employees. You may also request a complete copy of the Plan Document and Addendum. You are advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release. Your signature must be notarized. 

This Release is entered into knowingly and voluntarily by and between William A. Brake (“Employee”) and Cliffs Natural
Resources Inc. and its affiliates identified in Section III.A, below (collectively, the “Company”). Employee and the Company are referred to each individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized
terms not otherwise defined in this Release shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan (as defined below). 
 RECITALS

 A. Employee and the Company have mutually agreed to terminate Employee’s employment with the
Company. 
 B. Employee and the Company desire to establish an amicable separation of Employee’s
employment, to facilitate an appropriate transition of Employee’s responsibilities as to the Company and to settle fully and finally any and all differences between them which have arisen, or may arise, out of the employment relationship and/or
the termination of that relationship. 
 C. Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated effective
March 31, 2012 (“Termination Date”). During the period from the date of this Agreement through the Termination Date, Employee shall fully and reasonably cooperate with the Company to appropriately transition Employee’s
responsibilities as to the Company in the manner reasonably determined and directed by the Company. 
 D. The
Company agrees to pay Employee all wages and other compensation earned through the Termination Date. 
 E. The
Company desires to offer Employee participation in the Cliffs Natural Resources Employee Severance Plan (the “Plan”) under the terms set forth in the Cliffs Natural Resources Employee Severance Plan document and the Addendum for the
Severance of Salaried Employees in connection with the Employee’s termination of employment. 
 F.
Participation in the Plan requires (i) execution and notarization, (ii) delivery to the Company, and (iii) non-revocation, of this Release, all within the time frames specified in Section VI. 

AGREEMENT 
 I.
SEVERANCE PAYMENTS AND BENEFITS 
 A. Subject to Section I.B, Employee shall receive the following payments
and benefits (collectively, the “Payments” or “Benefits”) if Employee (1) signs, notarizes and delivers this Release within the time frames and in accordance with the provisions of Section VI.B; and (2) does not cancel
or revoke the Release within the time frames and in accordance with the provisions of Section VI.C: 
  

	 	•	 	 A cash payment equal to $1,166,400.00, which is equal to twenty-four (24) months Base Pay ($432,000 * 2 = $864,000) plus an additional amount
that represents an annual incentive bonus payable at target ($432,000 * 70% = $302,400), paid, less appropriate 

  
 1 

	 	 
withholdings and deductions, in a lump sum within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date. 

 

	 	•	 	 A cash payment equal to $49,846.15, as compensation for your earned but unused vacation for 2012, paid, less appropriate withholdings and
deductions, in a lump sum within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date. 

  

	 	•	 	 A cash payment equal to the Management Performance Incentive Plan bonus that the Employee would have earned had he been granted an award under such
Plan on account of 2012, but prorated for the period beginning on January 1, 2012 and ending on his Termination Date, paid, less appropriate withholdings and deductions, in a lump sum when, and at the rate, the 2012 Management Performance
Incentive Plan bonuses are paid to active employees of the Company, which is expected to be in the first quarter of 2013. 

  

	 	•	 	 Continued coverage under the medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision benefit programs under the health care plan for active employees offered
by the Company, if any (the “Active Health Care Plan”), through the period described below as long as the Employee timely and properly pays the same portion of the costs of such coverages as is paid by similarly situated active employees.
Such coverages will end at the earlier of: 

  

	 	o	 The date the Employee fails to pay his share of the costs for such coverages; 

 

	 	o	 The death of the Employee; or 

  

	 	o	 The end of the month during which the Employee attains age sixty-five (65). 

In the event that prior to the expiration of this obligation, as described above, the Employee obtains health care
coverage(s) from one or more subsequent employers, it is understood that during such employment the Company’s Active Health Care Plan will be secondary to the coverage(s) provided by the subsequent employer(s) notwithstanding the coordination
of benefit provisions of such other coverage(s) and, thus, the availability of benefits under the Company’s Active Health Care Plan will be determined after those of the coverage(s) provided by the subsequent employers and may be reduced
because of benefits payable under the other coverage(s). 
  

	 	•	 	 To the extent that Performance Shares and/or Retention Shares have been awarded to the Employee under the 2010 Performance Share Plans, Employee
shall be entitled to a pro rata claim through the Termination Date, to be paid out when, and at the rate, the 2010 Performance Share Plan pays. 

  

	 	•	 	 To the extent that Performance Shares and/or Retention Shares have been awarded to the Employee under the 2011 Performance Share Plans, Employee
shall be entitled to a pro rata claim through the Termination Date, to be paid out when, and at the rate, the 2011 Performance Share Plan pays. 

  

	 	•	 	 Provided that Employee properly and timely completes and submits all of the necessary documentation relating to the provision of outplacement
services, the Company shall pay for outplacement services provided by a firm, chosen by the Employee, for a maximum of twelve (12) consecutive months, with the Company’s payments for outplacement services ending March 31, 2013.

 B. Should Employee breach any of the covenants contained in Sections VII (relating to the
covenant of confidentiality), VIII (relating to the covenant to return Company property), 

  
 2 

 IX (relating to covenant to cooperate with the Company), XI (relating to the covenant
not to disparage the Company), XII (relating to the covenant not to solicit employees or customers) and XIII (relating to the covenant not to compete) of this Release, Employee shall be required to return the Payments and Benefits already received
under this Release in excess of one (1) month’s Base Pay within seven (7) days of demand by the Company, and shall receive no further Payments or Benefits under this Release. 

C. Subject to Section I.B, should Employee die prior to receipt of the Payments set forth in Section I.A, then the
Payments will be payable to Employee’s estate or otherwise inure to the benefit of his/her heirs. 
 D. The
term “Base Pay” shall mean Employee’s rate of annual base salary in effect as of the Termination Date. Base Pay does not include pension contributions made by the Company, welfare or other fringe benefits paid for by the Company,
expense reimbursements, overtime pay, bonuses, commissions, incentive pay, or any other special compensation. 
 II. REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES 
 Employee understands, acknowledges and agrees that: 

 

	 	•	 	 Employee has the sole right and exclusive authority to execute this Release; 

 

	 	•	 	 The Company and the Plan are not obligated to pay, and will not pay, to Employee any Payment or Benefits until this Release has become effective;

  

	 	•	 	 Employee executes this Release knowingly and voluntarily, in order to induce Company to provide the Payments and Benefits;

  

	 	•	 	 Employee has not sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed or otherwise disposed of any of the claims, demands, obligations or causes of action referred
to in this Release; 

  

	 	•	 	 No other person or entity has an interest in the claims, demands, obligations or causes of action referred to in this Release;

  

	 	•	 	 The Payments and Benefits that Employee will receive in exchange for executing this Release are in addition to anything of value to which Employee
is already entitled; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Payments and Benefits provided for in this Release are the only consideration that Employee ever will receive from the Company or any Released
Parties (as defined below) for any and all claims, demands, obligations or causes of action released by this Release; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Payments and Benefits provided for in this Release are not intended to be provided in addition to any payments or benefits that now may be due
or in the future become due or payable to Employee under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (“WARN”) Act (if applicable). Therefore, if WARN Act payments are or become due to Employee, any Payment and Benefits made under
this Release in excess of one month’s Base Pay, up to the full amount necessary to satisfy such obligation, shall be treated as having been paid in satisfaction of any such obligation, and the rest of the Payments and Benefits shall be treated
as having been given in exchange for the other covenants, agreements and obligations of this 

  
 3 

 Release; 

 

	 	•	 	 This Release and its terms shall not be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever on the part of the Company or any other Released
Parties described in this Release, by which/whom any liability is and always has been expressly denied; 

  

	 	•	 	 With the payments contemplated by this Agreement, the Company will have paid Employee for all vacation and any other paid time off accrued through
the Termination Date; 

  

	 	•	 	 As of the date of execution of this Release, Employee has not filed any administrative charges or lawsuits arising out of or relating to his/her
employment with the Company or the separation of that employment. If Employee cannot represent that the statement in this paragraph is true, initial here:        ; and 

 

	 	•	 	 As of the date of execution of this Release, Employee has no work-related injury and is medically stationary with no impairment of earning capacity.
If Employee cannot represent that the statement in this paragraph is true, initial here:        . 

 III. RELEASE 
 A. Employee, for himself/herself, and his/her
marital community (if any), agents, heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, hereby knowingly and voluntarily fully releases and forever discharges from any and all agreements, debts, claims, demands, actions, judgments, causes of action, and
liabilities of every kind or nature, known or unknown, that Employee, individually or as a member of a class, ever had or now has, the following (referred to collectively as the “Released Parties”): 

 

	 	•	 	 Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.; 

  

	 	•	 	 United Taconite, LLC; 

  

	 	•	 	 Cliffs North American Coal LLC; 

  

	 	•	 	 Pinnacle Mining Company, LLC; 

  

	 	•	 	 Oak Grove Resources, LLC; 

  

	 	•	 	 Northshore Mining Company; 

  

	 	•	 	 Tilden Mining Company LC; 

  

	 	•	 	 Empire Iron Mining Partnership; 

  

	 	•	 	 Cliffs Mining Company; 

  

	 	•	 	 Hibbing Joint Venture; 

  

	 	•	 	 Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company; 

  

	 	•	 	 Cliffs Reduced Iron Management Company; 

  

	 	•	 	 Cliffs Mining Services Company; 

  

	 	•	 	 PinnOak Resources, LLC; 

  

	 	•	 	 Cliffs Quebec Iron Mining Limited; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Bloom Lake Iron Ore Mine Limited Partnership; 

  

	 	•	 	 Cliffs Logan County Coal LLC; 

  

	 	•	 	 Cliffs Chromite Ontario Inc.; 

  

	 	•	 	 renewaFUEL, LLC; 

  

	 	•	 	 Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad Company; 

 

	 	•	 	 Wabash Iron Co. Ltd.; 

  

	 	•	 	 Cliffs International Management Company LLC; 

  
 4 

	 	•	 	 Cliffs International Mineração Brasil Ltda.; 

 

	 	•	 	 All affiliates of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. not already listed above, including any corporation or other entity which is controlled by or under
common control with Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., or which is in the same affiliated service group or otherwise required to be aggregated with Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. under Sections 414 or 1563 of the Internal Revenue Code;

  

	 	•	 	 All current or former owners, officers, directors, shareholders, members, employees, managers, agents, attorneys, partners and insurers of the above
entities; and 

  

	 	•	 	 The predecessors, successors, and assigns of the above entities and individuals and the spouses, children, and family members of the above
individuals. 

 B. Without limiting the generality of this Release, Employee acknowledges and
agrees that this Release is intended to bar every claim, demand, and cause of action, including without limitation any and all claims arising under the following laws, as amended from time to time: 

 

	 	•	 	 The federal Civil Rights Acts of 1866, 1871, 1964 and 1991 and all similar state civil rights statutes; 

 

	 	•	 	 The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; 

 

	 	•	 	 The Fair Labor Standards Act; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Rehabilitation Act of 1973; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Occupational Safety and Health Act; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Mine Safety and Health Act; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; 

 

	 	•	 	 The Age Discrimination in Employment Act; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Americans with Disabilities Act; 

  

	 	•	 	 The National Labor Relations Act; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Family and Medical Leave Act; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Equal Pay Act; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; 

 

	 	•	 	 The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; 

  

	 	•	 	 The Ohio Civil Rights Act; 

  

	 	•	 	 State wage payment statutes; 

  

	 	•	 	 State employment statutes; 

  

	 	•	 	 Any statutes regarding the making and enforcing of contracts; 

 

	 	•	 	 Any whistleblower statute; and 

  

	 	•	 	 All similar provisions under all other federal, state and local laws. 

C. Without limiting the generality of this Release, Employee further acknowledges and agrees that this Release is
intended to bar all equitable claims and all common law claims, including without limitation claims of or for: 
  

	 	•	 	 Breach of an express or an implied contract; 

  

	 	•	 	 Breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing; 

 

	 	•	 	 Unpaid wages, salary, commissions, vacation or other employee benefits; 

 

	 	•	 	 Unjust enrichment; 

  

	 	•	 	 Negligent or intentional interference with contractual relations; 

 

	 	•	 	 Negligent or intentional interference with prospective economic relations; 

 

	 	•	 	 Estoppel; 

  

	 	•	 	 Fraud; 

  
 5 

	 	•	 	 Negligence; 

  

	 	•	 	 Negligent or intentional misrepresentation; 

  

	 	•	 	 Personal injury; 

  

	 	•	 	 Slander; 

  

	 	•	 	 Libel; 

  

	 	•	 	 Defamation; 

  

	 	•	 	 False light; 

  

	 	•	 	 Injurious falsehood; 

  

	 	•	 	 Invasion of privacy; 

  

	 	•	 	 Wrongful discharge; 

  

	 	•	 	 Failure to hire; 

  

	 	•	 	 Retaliatory discharge; 

  

	 	•	 	 Constructive discharge; 

  

	 	•	 	 Negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; 

 

	 	•	 	 Negligent hiring, supervision or retention; 

  

	 	•	 	 Loss of consortium; and 

  

	 	•	 	 Any claims that may relate to drug and/or alcohol testing. 

D. Employee further understands, acknowledges and agrees that this Release is a general release, and that Employee
further waives and assumes the risk of any and all claims which exist as of the date this Release is executed, including those of which Employee does not know or suspect to exist, whether through ignorance, oversight, error, negligence, or
otherwise, and which, if known, would materially affect Employee’s decision to sign this Release. 
 E.
Employee further understands, acknowledges and agrees that this Release waives any right Employee has to recover damages in any lawsuit brought by Employee as well as in a lawsuit brought by any third party, including without limitation the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or any similar state agency. Employee is not, however, waiving the right to file a charge with the EEOC or any similar state agency. 

F. This Release shall not be interpreted to release or require the release of the Company or the Released Parties from
any: 
  

	 	•	 	 Claims for Payments or Benefits under this Release; or 

 

	 	•	 	 Claims for benefits under any pension plan of the Company; or 

 

	 	•	 	 Claims arising out of acts or practices which occur after the execution of this Release. 

The Company agrees to indemnify Employee for actions occurring during his employment to the same extent provided during his employment.
This provision is not meant to expand Company’s obligations. 
 IV. REPRESENTATION OF UNDERSTANDING OF RELEASE 

Employee acknowledges that Employee has had the opportunity to consult an attorney of Employee’s own choosing before
entering into this Release. Employee represents and warrants that Employee has read all of the terms of this Release and that Employee fully understands and voluntarily accepts these terms. Employee further acknowledges and agrees that Employee has
been given a reasonable period of time within which to consider this Release. 
 V. RELEASE OF FEDERAL AGE DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS

  
 6 

 Employee understands and agrees that a waiver of claims under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (29 U.S.C. § 621, et seq.) (the “ADEA”) is not effective unless it is “knowing and voluntary,” and that the ADEA imposes certain
minimum requirements for a waiver of ADEA claims to be knowing and voluntary. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee is knowingly and voluntarily giving up any rights or claims for relief Employee may have under the ADEA regarding the
Company’s conduct or the conduct of any Released Parties. However, Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee is not giving up the right to challenge the validity of this Release under the ADEA. 

VI. TIME TO CONSIDER AND CANCEL RELEASE; EFFECTIVE DATE 
 A. Employee has at least twenty-one (21) calendar days from the receipt of this Release to decide whether to sign it and is advised to consult with an attorney before doing so. Employee is not to
sign this Release unless Employee understands its provisions and is doing so voluntarily. 
 B. This Release
shall be signed and notarized no earlier than the calendar day following Employee’s Termination Date, but no later than twenty-one (21) calendar days following the Employee’s Termination Date. Further, this Release shall be delivered
to (or postmarked for delivery to) Brett S. Beech, Director, Corporate Human Resources, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., 200 Public Square, Suite 3300, Cleveland, OH 44114, no later than twenty-one (21) calendar days after Employee’s
Termination Date. 
 C. After Employee has signed this Release, Employee has seven (7) days to change
his/her mind and notify the Company in writing that Employee has canceled this Release. If Employee so cancels this Release, this Release will be null and void, and will have no force or effect. Written notice of a cancellation of this Release must
actually be received by the Company at the following address and must be postmarked within the time frame described above in order to be effective: Brett S. Beech, Director, Corporate Human Resources, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., 200 Public
Square, Suite 3300, Cleveland, OH 44114. 
 D. If Employee (i) signs, notarizes and delivers this Release
within the time frames and in accordance with the provisions of Section VI.B; and (ii) does not cancel or revoke the Release within the time frames and in accordance with the provisions of Section VI.C, this Release shall become effective on
the eighth day after Employee signed it (the “Effective Date”). 
 E. Employee understands that if he
or she revokes this Release, it shall not be effective or enforceable and Employee will not become a Participant in the Plan and will not receive any Payments or Benefits under this Release. 
 VII. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND COVENANTS 
 Employee
represents that, during Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee has not breached any confidentiality agreement to which Employee is a party. Employee further represents and warrants that Employee will continue to abide by the terms of
any confidentiality agreement applicable to Employee after the Termination Date. 
 VIII. RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY 

A. Employee agrees to return to the Company by the Termination Date all originals and copies of the Company’s
property, documents and information in Employee’s possession, regardless of the form on which such information has been maintained or stored, including without limitation, computer disks, tapes or other forms of electronic storage, Company
credit cards (including telephone credit cards), tools, equipment, keys, identification, software, computer access codes, disks and instructional manuals, and all other property prepared by, or for, or belonging to the Company. Employee further
agrees that he or she will not retain any documents or other property belonging to Company. 

  
 7 

 B. By signing this Release, Employee affirms that Employee either
(i) has no Company property remaining in his/her possession or control or, (ii) if Employee does have any such property in his/her possession or control, Employee has provided the Company a list of such property, the reason why Employee
has been unable to return it to the Company, and the date by which Employee intends to return such property to the Company. 
 C. Employee must comply fully with this Section VIII before the Company is obligated to perform under Section I. 
 IX. COOPERATION 
 During the period from February 17,
2012 through the Termination Date, Employee shall fully and reasonably cooperate with the Company to appropriately transition Employee’s responsibilities as to the Company in the manner reasonably determined and directed by the Company.
Following the Termination Date, Employee shall continue to fully and reasonably cooperate with the Company in effecting a smooth transition, and shall timely provide such information as the Company may reasonably request regarding operations and
information within Employee’s knowledge while Employee was employed by the Company. 
 X. RESIGNATION AND RE-EMPLOYMENT 

A. Employee hereby irrevocably resigns from any and all corporate offices with Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. or any of the
Released Parties which he/she held in his/her capacity as an employee of the Company including without limitation positions as an officer, director, member, manager, agent, or partner of any such entities. Employee further agrees to execute any
documents required to effectuate such resignations as may be requested by the Company. 
 B. Employee hereby
forever gives up, waives and releases any right to be hired, employed, recalled or reinstated by the Company or any affiliate of the Company. 

XI. NON-DISPARAGEMENT 
 Employee shall not make any negative statements orally or in writing about Employee’s employment with the Company, about the Company or its affiliates or any of its employees or products, to anyone
other than to the EEOC or any similar state agency, Employee’s immediate family, and Employee’s legal representatives or financial advisors. Nothing herein shall prevent Employee from testifying truthfully in a legal proceeding or
governmental administrative proceeding. Employee may indicate on employment applications that Employee was employed by the Company, Employee’s duties, length of employment, and salary. The Company shall not make any negative statements orally
or in writing about the Employee’s employment with the Company to anyone other than to the EEOC or any similar state agency and the Company’s legal representatives. Nothing herein shall prevent the Company from testifying truthfully in a
legal proceeding or governmental administrative proceeding. 
 XII. NON-SOLICITATION 

Employee agrees that, during his period of employment and the period beginning on his Termination Date and ending eighteen
(18) months following the Termination Date (the “Restricted Period”), Employee (i) shall not directly or indirectly contact, approach or solicit for the purpose of offering employment to or actually hire any person employed by
the Company or its affiliates (or who was employed by the Company or its affiliates during the six (6) month period immediately prior to such solicitation or hire), without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that this
Section XII shall not preclude Employee from soliciting for employment (but shall, for the avoidance of doubt, prohibit hiring) any such person who responds to a general solicitation through a public medium that is not targeted at such person; and
(ii) shall not call on, solicit or service any current or prospective customer, client, vendor or other business relation of the 

  
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Company or its affiliates regarding or related to products or services that are then sold or provided by (or that are intended to be sold or provided by) the Company or its affiliates or are
otherwise competitive with any of the Company’s or its affiliates’ products or services or otherwise induce or attempt to induce any such person into any business relationship which would harm the Company or its affiliates. 

XIII. NON-COMPETITION 
 During the Restricted Period, Employee shall not engage or prepare to engage (whether as an owner, operator, manager, employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor, representative or otherwise)
directly or indirectly in any business that the Company or its affiliates conducts or proposes to conduct during the Restricted Period anywhere in the world (the “Restricted Business”); provided that ownership of less than 1% of the
outstanding stock of any publicly traded corporation shall not be deemed to be engaging in the Restricted Business solely by reason thereof. Employee acknowledges that the business of the Company or its affiliates is international in scope and that
the Company and its affiliates currently sell their products and services on an international basis. 
 XIV. SEVERABILITY 

In the event that any provision(s) of this Release is found to be unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, the
unenforceable provision shall be considered to be severable, and the remainder of this Release shall continue in full force and effect. 

XV. BINDING EFFECT 
 This Release shall be binding upon and operate to the benefit of Employee, the Company, the Released Parties, and their successors and assigns. 
 XVI. WAIVER 
 No waiver of any of the terms of this Release
shall constitute a waiver of any other terms, whether or not similar, nor shall any waiver be a continuing waiver. No waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by the Party making the waiver. The Company or Employee may waive any provision
of this Release intended for its/his/her benefit, but such waiver shall in no way excuse the other Party from the performance of any of its/his/her other obligations under this Release. 
 XVII. GOVERNING LAW 
 This Release shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law, except to the extent those laws are preempted by federal law. 
 XVIII. SUBSEQUENT MODIFICATIONS 
 The terms of this Release
may be altered or amended, in whole or in part, only upon the signed written agreement of all Parties to this Release. No oral agreement may modify any term of this Release. 
 XIX. ENTIRE AGREEMENT 
 This Release constitutes the sole
and entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior and contemporaneous agreements, promises, representations, negotiations, and understandings of the Parties, whether written or oral.
There are no agreements of any nature whatsoever among the Parties except as expressly stated herein. 

  
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 XX. ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 

This Section XX shall not apply to any litigation arising out of a challenge to the validity of this Release under the
ADEA, or any litigation in which the validity of this Release under the ADEA is an issue. In the event of litigation arising out of any other alleged breach of this Release, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to an award of its reasonable
attorneys’ fees and costs. 
 [Signature Page Follows] 

  
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	Date: February 17, 2012	 		 		 	 /s/ William A. Brake

		 		 		 	William A. Brake

  

					
	STATE OF Ohio	 	)	 	
		 	)	 	ss.
	County of Cuyahoga	 	)	 	

 On this 17th day of February, 2012, before me personally appeared William A. Brake, to me
known to be the person described in and who executed the Severance Agreement and Release and acknowledged that he/she executed the same as his/her free act and deed. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal in the County and State aforesaid, the day
and year first above written. 
  

					
		 	        /s/ Adam D. Munson, Atty.
		 		 	Notary Public
	My Commission Expires:	 		 	
			
		 		 	CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
		 		 	
			
		 		 	    /s/ James Michaud
		 		 	James Michaud, SVP, Human Resources

  
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