Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLF) (Paris: CLF) announced that shareholders of Freewest Resources Canada Inc. (TSX-V: FWR) today approved a previously announced plan of arrangement for Cliffs to acquire the Montreal-based exploration company at CAD$1.00 per share. The plan of arrangement, having been unanimously supported by the board and management of Freewest, was approved by approximately 82% of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the special shareholders' meeting held today.

Joseph A. Carrabba, Cliffs chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, "We look forward to developing what we consider to be one of the premier chromite deposits in the world. This long-term project positions Cliffs to become the sole North American primary chromite and ferrochrome producer/exporter. It is also consistent with the Company's strategy to broaden its product offerings and customer base through a mineral regarded as a strategic resource by many countries."

The transaction is expected to close on Jan. 27, 2010, subject to customary conditions and consent of the court. Assuming Jan. 27, 2010, becomes the effective time, Freewest shareholders will receive value equal to CAD$1.00, comprised of 0.0201 Cliffs shares for each Freewest share owned. Under the plan of arrangement, the fraction of a Cliffs share received is based on the Cliffs volume weighted average price for the five New York Stock Exchange trading days from Jan. 15 to Jan. 22, 2010.

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