Thomson Reuters






July 2 (Reuters) - Cliffs Natural Resources Inc said
on Wednesday it would replace its chairman after its annual
meeting and also offered a dissident shareholder three seats on
a reduced nine-person board.


Cliffs' stock was up 5.2 percent at $15.78 on the New York
Stock Exchange.


The U.S.-based iron ore and metallurgical coal producer said
it was making the offer to New York-based hedge fund Casablanca
Capital in an attempt to settle a "costly and distracting" proxy
contest.


Cliffs said it would elect a new chairman irrespective of
whether Casablanca accepts the settlement offer. Cliffs' chair
is James Kirsch and its annual meeting is set for July 29.


Casablanca, which owns 5.2 percent of Cliffs stock, accuses
the company of destroying shareholder value.


Cliffs previously offered Casablanca two seats on its board,
which it planned to reduce to nine seats from the current 11.


If, however, Casablanca did not accept the new settlement
offer, Cliffs' board will remain at 11 members, the company
said.


Casablanca was not immediately available for comment.