February 9, 2017
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
200 Public Square, Suite 3300
Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2315
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Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR Filed by Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the authorization of the possible issuance and sale from time to time, on a continuous or delayed basis, by the Company of an indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of: (i) common shares, par value $0.125 per share, of the Company (the “Common Shares”); (ii) shares of preferred stock, without par value, of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”), in one or more series, certain of which may be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares; (iii) debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”), in one or more series, certain of which may be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares; (iv) depositary shares representing fractional interests in shares of Preferred Stock (the “Depositary Shares”); (v) warrants to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities or any combination thereof (the “Warrants”); (vi) subscription rights to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities or any combination thereof (the “Subscription Rights”); and (vii) units consisting of one or more of the securities described in clauses (i) through (vi) above (the “Units”), in each case as contemplated by the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S‑3 to which this opinion is filed as an exhibit (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Statement”). The Common Shares, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities, the Depositary Shares, the Warrants, the Subscription Rights and the Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” The Securities may be offered and sold from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture, dated as of March 17, 2010 (the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
In connection with the opinions expressed herein, we have examined such documents, records and matters of law as we have deemed relevant or necessary for purposes of this opinion. Based on the foregoing and subject to the further assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Common Shares, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2. The shares of Preferred Stock, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. The Debt Securities, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
4. The Depositary Shares, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued,
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February 9, 2017
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and the depositary receipts representing the Depositary Shares will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified therein and in the deposit agreement pursuant to which they are issued.
5. The Warrants, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
6. The Subscription Rights, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
7. The Units, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
In rendering the foregoing opinions, we have assumed that: (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, will have become effective (and will remain effective at the time of issuance of any Securities thereunder); (ii) a prospectus supplement describing each class and/or series of Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, to the extent required by applicable law and relevant rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), will be timely filed with the Commission; (iii) the definitive terms of each class and/or series of Securities will have been established in accordance with the authorizing resolutions adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof), the Company’s Third Amended Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”) and applicable law; (iv) the Company will issue and deliver the Securities in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and any Securities that consist of shares of capital stock will have been authorized and reserved for issuance, in each case within the limits of the then remaining authorized but unissued and unreserved amounts of such capital stock; (v) the resolutions authorizing the Company to issue, offer and sell the Securities will have been adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) and will be in full force and effect at all times at which the Securities are offered or sold by the Company; (vi) all Securities will be issued in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and (vii) the Indenture and any Deposit Agreement, Warrant Agreement, Subscription Rights Agreement (each as defined below) or Unit agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and will constitute a valid and binding obligation of each party thereto other than the Company.
With respect to any Securities consisting of Preferred Stock, we have further assumed that the Company will issue and deliver the shares of the Preferred Stock being issued and delivered after the filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio of a certificate of amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, approved by us, establishing the designations, preferences and rights of the class or series of the Preferred Stock being issued and delivered.
With respect to any Securities consisting of any series of Debt Securities, we have further assumed that (i) any Debt Securities will have been issued pursuant to the Indenture; (ii) all terms of such Debt Securities not provided for in the applicable Indenture will have been established in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and reflected in appropriate documentation approved by us and, if applicable, executed and delivered by the Company and the trustee and (iii) such Debt Securities will be executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.
With respect to any Securities consisting of Depositary Shares, we have further assumed that the Depositary Shares will be: (i) issued and delivered after authorization, execution and delivery of the deposit agreement, approved by us, relating to the Depositary Shares to be entered into between the Company and an entity (the “Depositary”) selected by the Company to act as depository (the “Deposit Agreement”); and (ii) issued after the Company deposits with the Depositary shares of the Preferred Stock to be represented by such Depositary Shares that are authorized, validly issued and fully paid as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Deposit Agreement.
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February 9, 2017
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With respect to any Securities consisting of Warrants, we have further assumed that: (i) the warrant agreement, approved by us, relating to the Warrants (the “Warrant Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and an entity selected by the Company to act as the warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”) will have been authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent; and (ii) the Warrants will be authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Agreement.
With respect to any Securities consisting of Subscription Rights, we have further assumed that: (i) the subscription rights agreement, approved by us, relating to the Subscription Rights (the “Subscription Rights Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and an entity selected by the Company to act as the subscription rights agent (the “Subscription Rights Agent”) will have been authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Subscription Rights Agent; and (ii) the Subscription Rights will be authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Subscription Rights Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Subscription Rights Agreement.
With respect to any Securities consisting of Units, we have further assumed that each component of such Unit will be authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (to the extent applicable) and will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company or any third party (to the extent applicable) as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable Unit agreement, if any.
The opinions expressed herein are limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer and fraudulent conveyance, voidable preference, moratorium or other similar laws and related regulations and judicial doctrines from time to time in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general equitable principles and public policy considerations, whether such principles and considerations are considered in a proceeding at law or at equity.
As to facts material to the opinions and assumptions expressed herein, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others. The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of Ohio and the laws of the State of New York, in each case as currently in effect, and we express no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Jones Day under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Jones Day
