CLEVELAND-CLIFFS INC.

DEFINITIONS

The following abbreviations or acronyms are used in the text. References in this report to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” "Cleveland-Cliffs" and “Cliffs” are to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. and subsidiaries, collectively. References to “$” is to United States currency, unless otherwise stated.

Part I

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

STATEMENTS OF UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION

STATEMENTS OF UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

STATEMENTS OF UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

STATEMENTS OF UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

STATEMENTS OF UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BUSINESS, CONSOLIDATION AND PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with SEC rules and regulations and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows and changes in equity for the periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on various assumptions and historical experience, which are believed to be reasonable; however, due to the inherent nature of estimates, actual results may differ significantly due to changed conditions or assumptions. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2026 or any other future period. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

NATURE OF BUSINESS

We are a leading North America-based steel producer with focus on value-added sheet products, particularly for the automotive industry. We are vertically integrated from the mining of iron ore, production of pellets and direct reduced iron, and processing of ferrous scrap through primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling and tubing. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, we employ approximately 25,000 people across our operations in the United States and Canada. More than 90% of our approximately 20,000 hourly workforce is represented by three prominent unions – USW, UAW and IAM.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

We are organized into four operating segments based on differentiated products, Steelmaking, Tubular, Tooling and Stamping, and European Operations. We primarily operate throughone reportable segment – the Steelmaking segment.

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements consolidate our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries, all subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest and VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.

INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

We have investments in several businesses accounted for using the equity method of accounting. These investments are included within our Steelmaking segment. We review an investment for impairment when circumstances indicate that a loss in value below its carrying amount is other than temporary.

Our investment in affiliates of $131 million and $132 million as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively, was classified in Other non-current assets.

CORRECTION OF AN IMMATERIAL ERROR

During the third quarter of 2025, we identified an immaterial error related to our accrual for certain employment costs, resulting in an understatement of Costs of goods sold in prior periods. Prior periods affected include the interim periods ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025, and the interim and annual periods during the years 2022, 2023 and 2024.

For the three months ended March 31, 2025, Costs of goods soldwas increased by $5 million, with a corresponding increase to Income tax benefit of $2 million, to adjust for the error.

Any related impact to cash flows was limited to captions within operating activities. Related changes to financial statement subtotals and related disclosures within the notes accompanying these financial statements reflect the correction of the error. Management evaluated the quantitative and qualitative considerations of the error and determined that the related impact was not material to the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows for any historical annual or interim period.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A detailed description of our significant accounting policies can be found in the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the SEC. There have been no material changes in our significant accounting policies and estimates from those disclosed therein.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - ISSUED AND NOT EFFECTIVE

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This new standard does not affect the recognition, measurement or financial statement presentation. However, this guidance does require additional annual and interim disclosures related to the disaggregation of various income statement expense captions. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027.

NOTE 2 - SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION

INVENTORIES

The following table presents the detail of our Inventories on the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position:

SUPPLY CHAIN FINANCE PROGRAMS

We negotiate payment terms directly with our suppliers for the purchase of goods and services. We currently offer voluntary supply chain finance programs that enable our suppliers to sell their Company receivables to financial intermediaries, at the sole discretion of both the suppliers and financial intermediaries. No guarantees are provided by us or our subsidiaries under the supply chain finance programs. The supply chain finance programs allow our suppliers to be paid by the financial intermediaries earlier than the due date on the applicable invoice. Supply chain finance programs that extend terms or provide us an economic benefit are classified as short-term financings. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had $21 million and $28 million, respectively, deemed as short-term financings that are classified in Other current liabilities. Additionally, as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had $72 million and $73 million, respectively, classified as Accounts payable.

INDEFINITELY IDLED FACILITIES CHARGES

The following table represents a reconciliation of our accrued liabilities related to the discontinuation of certain product lines resulting from the indefinite idling of our Steelton rail production facility and Weirton tinplate production facility:

CASH FLOW INFORMATION

A reconciliation of capital additions to cash paid for capital expenditures is as follows:

Cash payments (receipts) for income taxes and interest are as follows:

NOTE 3 - REVENUES

We generate our revenue through product sales, in which shipping terms indicate when we have fulfilled our performance obligations and transferred control of products to our customer. Our revenue transactions consist of a single performance obligation to transfer promised goods. Our contracts with customers define the mechanism for determining the sales price, which is generally fixed upon transfer of control, but the contracts generally do not impose a specific quantity on either party. Quantities to be delivered to the customer are determined at a point near the date of delivery through purchase orders or other written instructions we receive from the customer. Spot market sales are made through purchase orders or other written instructions. We consider our performance obligation to be complete and recognize revenue when control transfers in accordance with shipping terms.

Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring product. We reduce the amount of revenue recognized for estimated returns and other customer credits, such as discounts and volume rebates, based on the expected value to be realized. Payment terms are consistent with terms standard to the markets we serve. Sales taxes collected from customers are excluded from revenues. Revenue by market and product are presented net of intersegment revenues.

The following table represents our Revenues by market:

The following tables represent our Revenues by product line:

NOTE 4 - SEGMENT REPORTING

We are vertically integrated from the mining of iron ore, production of pellets and direct reduced iron, and processing of ferrous scrap through primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. We are organized into four operating segments based on our differentiated products – Steelmaking, Tubular, Tooling and Stamping, and European Operations. We haveone reportable segment – Steelmaking. The operating segment results of our Tubular, Tooling and Stamping, and European Operations that do not constitute reportable segments are combined and disclosed in the Other Businesses category. Our Steelmaking segment operates as a leading North America-based steel producer with focus on value-added sheet products, primarily serving the automotive, infrastructure and manufacturing, and distributors and converters markets. Our Other Businesses primarily include the operating segments that provide customer solutions with carbon and stainless steel tubing products, advanced-engineered solutions, tool design and build, hot- and cold-stamped steel components, and complex assemblies. All intersegment transactions were eliminated in consolidation. Corporate assets and capital additions are primarily related to and support the operations of the Steelmaking segment and therefore have been incorporated within the Steelmaking segment total assets and capital additions below. We allocate Corporate Selling, general and administrative expenses to our operating segments.

Our CODM, Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO, evaluates performance on an operating segment basis, as well as a consolidated basis, based on Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure. This measure is used by our CODM, management, investors, lenders and other external users of our financial statements to assess our operating performance and to compare operating performance to other companies in the steel industry. In addition, our CODM believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure to assess the earnings power of the business without the impact of capital structure and can be used to assess our ability to service debt and fund future capital expenditures in the business.

The following tables provide our results by segment as well as a reconciliation from consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to our consolidated Net loss:

The following summarizes our assets by segment:

NOTE 5 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The following table indicates the carrying value of each of the major classes of our depreciable assets:

We recorded depreciation and depletion expense of $239 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and $264 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

NOTE 6 - GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

GOODWILL

The following table summarizes the changes in Goodwill by segment:

INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The following is a summary of our intangible assets and liabilities:

Amortization expense related to Intangible assets, net was $21 million and $19 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Any additional movements in the balance of Intangible assets, net as of March 31, 2026, compared to December 31, 2025, is due to fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates. Estimated future amortization expense is $61 million for the remainder of 2026, $81 million annually for the years 2027 through 2030 and $80 million for 2031.

Income from amortization related to the intangible liabilities was $1 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. Estimated future income from amortization is $4 million for the remainder of 2026 and $5 million annually for the years 2027 through 2031.

NOTE 7 - DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES

The following represents a summary of our long-term debt:

ABL FACILITY

As of March 31, 2026, we were in compliance with the ABL Facility liquidity requirements and, therefore, the springing financial covenant requiring a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 was not applicable.

The following represents a summary of our borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility:

DEBT MATURITIES

The following represents a summary of our maturities of debt instruments based on the principal amounts outstanding at March 31, 2026 (in millions):

NOTE 8 - PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

We offer benefits through defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution pension plans and OPEB plans to a significant portion of our employees and retirees. Benefits are also provided through multiemployer plans for certain union members.

The following are the components of defined benefit pension and OPEB costs (credits):

DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION COSTS (CREDITS)

OPEB COSTS (CREDITS)

Based on funding requirements, we made $13 million and $15 million of defined benefit pension contributions for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Based on funding requirements, we madeno contributions to our voluntary employee benefit association trust plans for both the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025.

NOTE 9 - STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

PERFORMANCE SHARES

During the first quarter of 2026, we issued market stock units under our 2021 Equity Plan. The structure and performance metric for these units were modified as compared to prior performance share awards granted under our 2021 Equity Plan.

The market stock units granted during the first quarter of 2026 vest over a period ofthree years and are intended to be paid out in common shares. Performance is measured based on a trailing 30-day volume-weighted average of our stock price at the end of the performance period, measured against the grant‑date stock price of $10.55 per share. The number of shares that will ultimately be earned at the end of the performance period will vary based on the level of absolute stock price appreciation or depreciation, subject to a payout range of 50% to 150% of the target number of market stock units granted. Approximately 2.8 million market stock units were granted during the first quarter of 2026.

Under the terms of these market stock units, certain retirement-eligible members of management become entitled to accelerated vesting upon retirement on or after December 31, 2026. As a result, the Company will recognize expense for such market stock units granted over the required service period, and these market stock units granted will be treated as fully vested at December 31, 2026.

We value our market stock units using a Monte Carlo simulation on the grant date. The simulation models the Company’s future stock price over the performance period and incorporates the payout provisions of the award based on absolute stock price performance. The fair value reflects the probability‑weighted outcomes of the performance condition, including applicable caps and floors on payout. The expected term of the grant represents the period from the grant date to the end of the performance period. We estimate the volatility of our common shares using daily historical stock price data over a period commensurate with the performance period. The risk‑free interest rate is based on the rate in effect at the grant date for U.S. Treasury securities with a maturity consistent with the remaining performance period.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

During the first quarter of 2026, the number of stock-settled restricted stock units granted were reduced to a nominal level as compared to the prior period in 2025.

NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES

Our income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2026 is $81 million, compared to income tax benefit of $149 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2025. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and the impact of immaterial discrete items relative to those losses.

NOTE 11 - ASSET RETIREMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBLIGATIONS

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The accrued closure obligation provides for contractual and legal obligations related to our indefinitely idled and closed operations and for the eventual closure of our active operations. The closure date for each of our active mine sites was determined based on the exhaustion date of the remaining mineral reserves, and the amortization of the related asset and accretion of the liability is recognized over the estimated mine lives. The closure date and expected timing of the capital requirements to meet our obligations for our indefinitely idled or closed mines is determined based on the unique circumstances of each property. For indefinitely idled or closed mines, the accretion of the liability is recognized over the anticipated timing of remediation. Asset retirement obligations at our steelmaking operations primarily include the closure and post-closure care for on-site landfills and other waste containment facilities. Asset retirement obligations have been recorded at present values using settlement dates based on when we expect these facilities to reach capacity and close.

The following is a summary of our asset retirement obligations:

The following is a roll-forward of our asset retirement obligations:

ENVIRONMENTAL OBLIGATIONS

Our operations currently use, and have in the past used, hazardous materials and substances, and we have generated, and expect to continue to generate, solid and hazardous waste. We have been, and may in the future be, subject to claims under laws and regulations for toxic torts, natural resource damages and other damages, as well as for the investigation and clean-up of soil, surface water, sediments, groundwater, and other natural resources and reclamation of properties. If we reasonably can, we estimate potential remediation expenditures for those sites where future remediation efforts are probable based on identified conditions, regulatory requirements, or contractual obligations arising from the sale of a business or facility. For sites involving government required investigations, including pursuant to RCRA and CERCLA, we typically make an estimate of potential remediation expenditures only after the investigation is complete and when we better understand the nature and scope of the remediation. In general, the material factors in these estimates include the costs associated with investigations, delineations, risk assessments, remedial work, governmental response and oversight, site monitoring and preparation of reports to the appropriate environmental agencies.

The following is a summary of our environmental obligations:

NOTE 12 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The carrying values of certain financial instruments (e.g., Accounts receivable, net, Accounts payable and Other current liabilities) approximate fair value and, therefore, have been excluded from the table below. See NOTE 13 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING for information on our derivative instruments, which are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis.

A summary of the carrying value and fair value of other financial instruments were as follows:

The valuation of the financial asset classified in Level 2 was determined using a market approach based upon quoted prices for similar assets in active markets or other inputs that were observable.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT COMMITMENT

In connection with the acquisition of Stelco, we acquired funding commitments to employee life and health trusts. These obligations pertain to plans previously sponsored by Stelco prior to its emergence from bankruptcy. The commitments primarily involve fixed scheduled payments that will continue until 2042, with an additional variable component tied to Stelco's standalone operating performance. The financial liability is recorded at fair value on a recurring basis using a discounted cash flow model, which incorporates observable and unobservable inputs for risk-free interest rates and future operating estimates. The liability is classified as a Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. The current and non-current portions of the employee benefit commitment are classified within Other current liabilities and Other non-current liabilitieson the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position, respectively.

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the employee benefit commitment:

MINNTAC OPTION

Stelco is party to an option to purchase a 25% ownership interest in the MinnTac iron ore mine and related infrastructure located in Mt. Iron, Minnesota from U. S. Steel for $500 million. This option is exercisable by Stelco at any time until January 31, 2027. This option is recorded as a derivative instrument at fair value on a recurring basis and included within Other current assets as of March 31, 2026 and Other non-current assets as of December 31, 2025 on the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position. Any gain or loss recorded in relation to the fair value of this option is presented within Changes in fair value of derivatives, neton the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations. The fair value of the derivative asset is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which incorporates observable or unobservable inputs for risk-free interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, discount rates, corresponding market volatility levels and other market-based pricing factors. This option is classified as a Level 3 derivative asset within the fair value hierarchy.

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the MinnTac option:

NOTE 13 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING

We are exposed to price risk associated with fluctuations in the market prices of purchased raw materials and energy sources and the sales price of certain steel products. We may use cash-settled commodity purchase swaps to hedge the market risk associated with the purchase of certain of our raw materials and energy requirements and cash-settled sales swaps to hedge the sales price risk of certain steel products. Our hedging strategy is to reduce the effect on earnings from the price volatility of these various exposures.

Our commodity purchase swaps and sales swaps are designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes, and we record the gains and losses for the derivatives in Accumulated other comprehensive income until we reclassify them into Cost of goods sold when we recognize the associated underlying operating costs or Revenues when we recognize the associated underlying sale. Impacts of our designated commodity purchase swaps and sales swaps are reflected within Other, net in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows. Refer to NOTE 15 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME for further information.

Our commodity purchase swaps and sales swaps are classified as Level 2 as values were determined using a market approach based upon quoted prices for similar assets in active markets or other inputs that were observable.

The following table presents the notional amount of our outstanding hedge contracts:

At March 31, 2026, we estimate $10 million of net losses related to our commodity purchase swaps and $40 million of net losses related to our sales swaps will be reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income into Cost of goods sold and Revenues, respectively, during the next 12 months. This estimate is based on March 31, 2026 fair values, some of which will change before their actual reclassification into Cost of goods sold and Revenues.

The following table presents the fair value of our outstanding cash flow hedges and the classification in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position:

NOTE 14 - CAPITAL STOCK

SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

During the second quarter of 2024, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase our outstanding common shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, which may include purchases pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 plans or accelerated share repurchases, up to a maximum of $1.5 billion. We are not obligated to make any repurchases, and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. The share repurchase program does not have a specific expiration date.

During both the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we did not repurchase any common shares. As of March 31, 2026, there was $1.4 billion remaining authorization under our active share repurchase program.

PREFERRED STOCK

We have 3 million shares of Serial Preferred Stock, Class A, without par value, authorized and 4 million shares of Serial Preferred Stock, Class B, without par value, authorized. No preferred shares are issued or outstanding.

NOTE 15 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The components of Accumulated other comprehensive income within Cliffs shareholders’ equity and related tax effects allocated to each are shown below:

NOTE 16 - VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

SUNCOKE MIDDLETOWN

We purchase all the coke and electrical power generated from SunCoke Middletown’s plant under long-term supply agreements and have committed to purchase all the expected production from the facility through 2032. We consolidate SunCoke Middletown as a VIE because we are the primary beneficiary despite having no ownership interest in SunCoke Middletown. SunCoke Middletown had income before income taxes of $9 million and $15 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, which was included in our consolidated Loss from continuing operations before income taxes. Additionally, SunCoke Middletown had cash used for capital expenditures of $1 million and anominal amount for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, that are included in our consolidated Purchase of property, plant and equipment on the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows.

The assets of the consolidated VIE can only be used to settle the obligations of the consolidated VIE and not obligations of the Company. The creditors of SunCoke Middletown do not have recourse to the assets or general credit of the Company to satisfy liabilities of the VIE. The Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position includes the following amounts for SunCoke Middletown:

NOTE 17 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted EPS:

NOTE 18 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

PURCHASE COMMITMENTS

We purchase portions of the principal raw materials required for our steel manufacturing operations under annual and multi-year agreements, some of which have minimum quantity requirements. We also use large volumes of natural gas, electricity and industrial gases in our operations. We negotiate most of our purchases of chrome, industrial gases and a portion of our electricity under multi-year agreements. Our purchases of coke and iron ore are made under annual or multi-year agreements with periodic price adjustments. We typically purchase coal under annual fixed price agreements. We also purchase certain transportation services under multi-year contracts with minimum quantity requirements.

OTHER COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

We use surety bonds and letters of credit to provide financial assurance for certain obligations and statutory requirements. As of March 31, 2026, we had $300 million of surety-backed letters of credit and surety bonds outstanding. Additionally, as of March 31, 2026, we had $48 million of outstanding letters of credit issued under our ABL Facility.

CONTINGENCIES

We are currently the subject of, or party to, various claims and legal proceedings incidental to our current and historical operations. These claims and legal proceedings are 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 adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations for the period in which the ruling occurs or future periods. However, based on currently available information, we do not believe that any pending claims or legal proceedings will result in a material adverse effect in relation to our consolidated financial statements.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTINGENCIES

Our environmental remediation obligations for known environmental matters at active and closed operations have been recognized based on estimates of the cost of investigation and remediation at each facility. We cannot predict the ultimate costs for each site with certainty because of the evolving nature of the investigation and remediation process. Rather, to estimate the probable costs, we must make certain assumptions. The most significant of these assumptions is for the nature and scope of the work that will be necessary to investigate and remediate a particular site and the cost of that work. Other significant assumptions include the cleanup technology that will be used, whether and to what extent any other parties will participate in paying the investigation and remediation costs, reimbursement of past response costs and future oversight costs by governmental agencies, and the reaction of the governing environmental agencies to the proposed work plans. Costs for future investigation and remediation are not discounted to their present value, unless the amount and timing of the cash disbursements are readily known. To the extent that we have been able to reasonably estimate future liabilities, we do not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that we will incur a loss or losses that exceed the amounts we accrued that would, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, since we recognize amounts in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP that exclude potential losses that are not probable or that may not be currently estimable, the ultimate costs of these environmental matters may be higher than the liabilities we currently have recorded in our consolidated financial statements.

Pursuant to RCRA, which governs the treatment, handling and disposal of hazardous waste, the EPA and authorized state environmental agencies may conduct inspections of RCRA-regulated facilities to identify areas where there have been releases of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents into the environment and may order the facilities to take corrective action to remediate such releases. Likewise, the EPA or the states may require closure or post-closure care of residual, industrial and hazardous waste management units. Environmental regulators have the authority to inspect all of our facilities. While we cannot predict the future actions of these regulators, it is possible that they may identify conditions in future inspections of these facilities that they believe require corrective action.

Pursuant to CERCLA, the EPA and state environmental authorities have conducted site investigations at some of our facilities and other third-party facilities, portions of which previously may have been used for disposal of materials that are currently regulated. The results of certain of these investigations remain pending, and we could be directed to spend funds for remedial activities at the former disposal areas. Because of the uncertain status of these investigations, however, we cannot reasonably predict whether or when such spending might be required or its magnitude.

In addition to the foregoing matters, we are or may be involved in proceedings with various regulatory authorities that may require us to pay fines, comply with more rigorous standards or other requirements or incur capital and operating expenses for environmental compliance. We believe that the ultimate disposition of any such proceedings will not have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

TAX MATTERS

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations. We recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. If we ultimately determine that payment of these amounts is unnecessary, we reverse the liability and recognize a tax benefit during the period in which we determine that the liability is no longer necessary. We also recognize tax benefits to the extent that it is more likely than not that our positions will be sustained when challenged by the taxing authorities. To the extent we prevail in matters for which liabilities have been established, or are required to pay amounts in excess of our liabilities, our effective tax rate in a given period could be materially affected. An unfavorable tax settlement would require use of our cash and result in an increase in our effective tax rate in the year of resolution. A favorable tax settlement would be recognized as a reduction in our effective tax rate in the year of resolution. Refer to NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES for further information.

OTHER CONTINGENCIES

In addition to the matters discussed above, there are various pending and potential claims against us and our subsidiaries involving antitrust, product liability, personal injury, commercial, mining royalties, employee benefits and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Because of the considerable uncertainties that exist for any claim, it is difficult to reliably or accurately estimate what the amount of a loss would be if a claimant prevails. If material assumptions or factual understandings we rely on to evaluate exposure for these contingencies prove to be inaccurate or otherwise change, we may be required to record a liability for an adverse outcome. If, however, we have reasonably evaluated potential future liabilities for all of these contingencies, including those described more specifically above, it is our opinion, unless we otherwise noted, that the ultimate liability from these contingencies, individually or in the aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 19 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

We have evaluated subsequent events through the date of financial statement issuance.