Cliffs Natural Resources wins Eighth Circuit appeal in dispute concerning post-termination duties under reclamation-services agreement

Client(s) Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.

On August 17, 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled in favor of Jones Day client Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., an international iron ore supplier, in an appeal involving litigation brought by a reclamation-services provider. The provider alleged that Cliffs had breached a Reclamation Services Contract and it claimed millions of dollars in damages. The district court granted Cliffs' motion to dismiss, and the Eighth Circuit affirmed in a published opinion, concluding that under the only reasonable interpretation, Cliffs had fulfilled all of its contractual obligations. The Jones Day appellate team included Louis Chaiten (who argued) and Jason Burnette of the Firm's Issues and Appeals practice.

M.M. Silta, Inc. v. Cleveland Cliffs, Inc. et al., United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Case No. 09-1423.