Cliffs Natural Resources specializes in operating mines and natural resources. Net sales break down by activity as follows:
- production of iron ore granules in North America (63.5%; North American No.1): owns, at the end of 2012, 7 mines located in the United States (5) and Canada (2);
- production of iron ore in Asia/Pacific (21.4%): operating through 6 mines located in Australia;
- production of coal in North America (15%): owns 2 coal mines in the United States;
- other (0.1%): primarily operation of a coal mine in Australia and an iron mine in Brazil.
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: the United States (35.9%), China (34.2%), Canada (12.4%) and other (17.5%).