NOTE 19 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase Commitments

In 2011, we incurred capital commitments related to the expansion of our Bloom Lake mine. The expansion project requires a capital investment of over $1.3 billion for the expansion of the mine and the mine's processing capabilities in order to ramp-up production capacity from 8.0 million to 16.0 million metric tons of iron ore concentrate per year. The capital investment also includes the common infrastructure necessary to support the mine's future production levels. Through March 31, 2012, approximately $601 million of the total capital investment required for the Bloom Lake expansion project has been committed, of which a total of approximately $235 million had been expended. Of the remaining committed capital, expenditures of approximately $366 million are expected to be made during the remainder of 2012 and in 2013.

In March 2011, we incurred capital commitments related to bringing Lower War Eagle, a high-volatile metallurgical coal mine in West Virginia, into production. The project requires a capital investment of approximately $113 million, of which $62 million has been committed as of March 31, 2012. Total capital expenditures related to this commitment were approximately $52 million through March 31, 2012. Of the remaining committed capital, expenditures of approximately $10 million are scheduled to be made during the remainder of 2012.

In 2010, our Board of Directors approved a capital project at our Koolyanobbing Operation in Western Australia. The project is expected to increase the production capacity at the Koolyanobbing Operation to approximately 11 million metric tons annually. The improvements consist of enhancements to the existing rail infrastructure and upgrades to various other existing operational constraints. The expansion project requires a capital investment of approximately $275 million, of which approximately $273 million has been committed through March 31, 2012, that will be required to meet the timing of the proposed expansion. Through March 31, 2012, $225 million in capital expenditures had been expended related to this commitment. Of the remaining committed capital, approximately $16 million is expected to be spent throughout 2012, with the remainder of the committed capital to be financed through capital leases.

In 2011, we entered into an agreement with the rail service provider for one of the rail lines used by our Koolyanobbing operations to upgrade the existing rail line. The upgrade is being performed to enhance safety and improve functionality of the rail. The improvements include the replacement of rail and associated parts. As a result, our portion of the related purchase commitment is approximately $33 million for replacements and improvements to the rail structure. Through March 31, 2012, our capital expenditures related to this purchase were approximately $17 million. Remaining expenditures of approximately $16 million are expected to be made throughout 2013 and 2014.

We incurred capital commitments related to an expansion project at our Empire and Tilden mines in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in 2010. The expansion project requires a capital investment of approximately $264 million, of which $210 million has been committed as of March 31, 2012, and is expected to allow for production capacity at the Empire mine to produce at three million tons annually through 2014 and increase Tilden mine production capacity by an additional two million tons annually. Through March 31, 2012, total capital expenditures related to this commitment were approximately $160 million. Of the committed capital, expenditures of approximately $39 million and $11 million are scheduled to be made during the remainder of 2012 and in 2013, respectively.

Contingencies

Litigation

We are currently a party to various claims and legal proceedings incidental to our operations. If management believes that a loss arising from these matters is probable and can reasonably be estimated, we record the amount of the loss, or the minimum estimated liability when the loss is estimated using a range, and no point within the range is more probable than another. As additional information becomes available, any potential liability related to these matters is assessed and the estimates are revised, if necessary. Based on currently available information, management believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include monetary damages, additional funding requirements or an injunction. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur, there exists the possibility of a material impact on the financial position and results of operations of the period in which the ruling occurs, or future periods. However, we believe that any pending litigation will not result in a material liability in relation to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.