================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 SCHEDULE 13D (Rule 13d-101) INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(a) (AMENDMENT NO. 8)* CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC. (Name of Issuer) COMMON SHARES (PAR VALUE $0.125 PER SHARE) (Title of Class of Securities) 185896107 (CUSIP Number) PHILIP FALCONE 555 MADISON AVENUE 16TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022 (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications) APRIL 9, 2009 (Date of Event which Requires Filing of This Statement) If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box [_] Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent. IMPORTANT NOTE: THE SECURITIES SET FORTH IN THIS REPORT ARE DIRECTLY BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY HARBINGER CAPITAL PARTNERS MASTER FUND I, LTD. AND/OR HARBINGER CAPITAL PARTNERS SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND, L.P. (COLLECTIVELY, THE "FUNDS"). ALL OTHER ENTITIES AND PERSONS ARE INCLUDED WITHIN THIS REPORT DUE TO THEIR AFFILIATION WITH ONE OR BOTH OF THE FUNDS. * The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). =============================================================================== - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 2 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [_] (b) [X] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS WC - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Cayman Islands - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 SOLE VOTING POWER NUMBER OF -0- ------------------------------------------------ SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY OWNED 5,575,000 ------------------------------------------------ BY EACH REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER PERSON -0- ------------------------------------------------ WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 5,575,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 5,575,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 4.91% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON CO - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 3 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Harbinger Capital Partners LLC - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [_] (b) [X] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS AF - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 SOLE VOTING POWER NUMBER OF -0- ------------------------------------------------ SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY OWNED 5,575,000 ------------------------------------------------ BY EACH REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER PERSON -0- ------------------------------------------------ WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 5,575,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 5,575,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 4.91% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON CO - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 4 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [_] (b) [X] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS WC - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 SOLE VOTING POWER NUMBER OF -0- ------------------------------------------------ SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY OWNED 2,698,276 ------------------------------------------------ BY EACH REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER PERSON -0- ------------------------------------------------ WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,698,276 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,698,276 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 2.38% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 5 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [_] (b) [X] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS AF - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 SOLE VOTING POWER NUMBER OF -0- ------------------------------------------------ SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY OWNED 2,698,276 ------------------------------------------------ BY EACH REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER PERSON -0- ------------------------------------------------ WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,698,276 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,698,276 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 2.38% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON CO - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 6 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Harbinger Holdings, LLC - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [_] (b) [X] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS AF - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 SOLE VOTING POWER NUMBER OF -0- ------------------------------------------------ SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY OWNED 8,273,276 ------------------------------------------------ BY EACH REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER PERSON -0- ------------------------------------------------ WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 8,273,276 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 8,273,276 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 7.29% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON CO - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 7 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- SCHEDULE 13D - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Philip Falcone - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [_] (b) [X] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS AF - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION U.S.A. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 SOLE VOTING POWER NUMBER OF -0- ------------------------------------------------ SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER BENEFICIALLY OWNED 8,273,276 ------------------------------------------------ BY EACH REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER PERSON -0- ------------------------------------------------ WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 8,273,276 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 8,273,276 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 7.29% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 8 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- Item 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER. This Amendment No. 8 to Schedule 13D ("Amendment No. 8") is being filed by the undersigned to amend the Schedule 13D filed by the Reporting Persons on July 17, 2008, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed on August 14, 2008, Amendment No. 2 filed on January 12, 2009, Amendment No. 3 filed on January 16, 2009, Amendment No. 4 filed on February 5, 2009, Amendment No. 5 filed on March 6, 2009, Amendment No. 6 filed on March 27, 2009 and Amendment No. 7 filed on April 6, 2009 (as amended, the "Schedule 13D"), with respect to the Common Shares, $0.125 par value per share (the "Shares"), of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "Issuer"). The address of the Issuer is 1100 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2544. Item 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND. No material change. Item 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION. Item 3 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows: "As of the date hereof the Master Fund may be deemed to beneficially own 5,575,000 Shares. As of the date hereof Harbinger LLC may be deemed to beneficially own 5,575,000 Shares. As of the date hereof the Special Fund may be deemed to beneficially own 2,698,276 Shares. As of the date hereof HCPSS may be deemed to beneficially own 2,698,276 Shares. As of the date hereof Harbinger Holdings may be deemed to beneficially own 8,273,276 Shares. As of the date hereof Philip Falcone may be deemed to beneficially own 8,273,276 Shares. No borrowed funds were used to purchase the Shares, other than any borrowed funds used for working capital purposes in the ordinary course of business." Item 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION. No material change. Item 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER. Item 5 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended by deleting paragraphs (a),(b) and (c) thereof and replacing such items with the following: "References to percentage ownerships of Shares in this Schedule 13D are based upon the 113,527,411 Shares stated to be outstanding as of February 23, 2009 by the Issuer in the Issuer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. (a, b) As of the date hereof, the Master Fund may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 5,575,000 Shares, constituting 4.91% of the Shares outstanding of the Issuer. The Master Fund has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares; has the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 5,575,000 Shares; has sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of 5,575,000 Shares. The Master Fund specifically disclaims beneficial ownership in the Shares reported herein except to the extent it actually exercises voting or dispositive power with respect to such Shares. - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 9 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- (a, b) As of the date hereof, Harbinger LLC may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 5,575,000 Shares, constituting 4.91% of the Shares outstanding of the Issuer. Harbinger LLC has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares; has the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 5,575,000 Shares; has sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of 5,575,000 Shares. Harbinger LLC specifically disclaims beneficial ownership in the Shares reported herein except to the extent it actually exercises voting or dispositive power with respect to such Shares. (a, b) As of the date hereof, the Special Fund may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 2,698,276 Shares, constituting 2.38% of the Shares outstanding of the Issuer. The Special Fund has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares; has the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 2,698,276 Shares; has sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of 2,698,276 Shares. The Special Fund specifically disclaims beneficial ownership in the Shares reported herein except to the extent it actually exercises voting or dispositive power with respect to such Shares. (a, b) As of the date hereof, HCPSS may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 2,698,276 Shares, constituting 2.38% of the Shares outstanding of the Issuer. HCPSS has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares; has the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 2,698,276 Shares; has sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of 2,698,276 Shares. HCPSS specifically disclaims beneficial ownership in the Shares reported herein except to the extent it actually exercises voting or dispositive power with respect to such Shares. (a, b) As of the date hereof, Harbinger Holdings may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 8,273,276 Shares, constituting 7.29% of the Shares outstanding of the Issuer. Harbinger Holdings has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares; has the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 8,273,276 Shares; has sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of 8,273,276 Shares. Harbinger Holdings specifically disclaims beneficial ownership in the Shares reported herein except to the extent it actually exercises voting or dispositive power with respect to such Shares. (a, b) As of the date hereof, Philip Falcone may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 8,273,276 Shares, constituting 7.29% of the Shares outstanding of the Issuer. Mr. Falcone has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares; has the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 8,273,276 Shares; has sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of 8,273,276 Shares. Mr. Falcone specifically disclaims beneficial ownership in the Shares reported herein except to the extent he actually exercises voting or dispositive power with respect to such Shares. - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 10 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- (c) The trading dates, number of Shares purchased and sold and price per share for all transactions in the Shares by the Reporting Persons since the filing of Amendment No. 7 are set forth in Exhibit S." Item 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER. No material change. Item 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS. Exhibit R: Joint Filing Agreement Exhibit S: Transactions in the Common Shares of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 11 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. HARBINGER CAPITAL PARTNERS MASTER FUND I, LTD. By: Harbinger Capital Partners LLC By: Harbinger Holdings, LLC, Managing Member By: /s/ Philip Falcone ---------------------------------------- Name: Philip Falcone Title: Managing Member HARBINGER CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC By: Harbinger Holdings, LLC, Managing Member By: /s/ Philip Falcone ---------------------------------------- Name: Philip Falcone Title: Managing Member - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 12 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- HARBINGER CAPITAL PARTNERS SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND, L.P. By: Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC By: Harbinger Holdings, LLC, Managing Member By: /s/ Philip Falcone ---------------------------------------- Name: Philip Falcone Title: Managing Member HARBINGER CAPITAL PARTNERS SPECIAL SITUATIONS GP, LLC By: Harbinger Holdings, LLC, Managing Member By: /s/ Philip Falcone ---------------------------------------- Name: Philip Falcone Title: Managing Member HARBINGER HOLDINGS, LLC By: /s/ Philip Falcone ---------------------------------------- Name: Philip Falcone Title: Managing Member - --------------------------- --------------------------- CUSIP NO. 185896107 Page 13 of 13 - --------------------------- --------------------------- /s/ Philip Falcone --------------------------------------------- Philip Falcone April 13, 2009 Attention: Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute federal criminal violations (see 18 U.S.C. 1001)