Cliffs Boosts Expectation For Iron Ore, Coal Sales

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. said Friday it will produce and sell more iron ore and coal this year than it had previously expected.

The company said it now expects sales of about 16 million long tons of iron ore in North America this year, up from a previous estimate of 13 million to 14 million tons. Iron ore production volume this year is expected to be 17 million tons, up from 15 million tons expected previously.

Cliffs also said it expects to sell and produce about 1.8 million short tons of North American coal this year, up from a previous expectations of sales of 1.5 million tons and production of 1.3 million tons. Cliffs operates coal mines in West Virginia and Alabama.