MESABI TRUST

Results of Operations

Comparison of Iron Ore Pellet Production and Shipments for the Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2025 and January 31, 2024

During fiscal 2025, production and shipments of iron ore pellets at Northshore from Mesabi Trust Lands totaled approximately 3.9 million tons, an increase of 20.2% as compared to production and shipments for fiscal year 2024. The table below, which is based on information provided to the Trust by Northshore, shows the total production and total shipments of iron ore pellets from Mesabi Trust lands during the prior two fiscal years.

The table below shows the change in the percentages of production and shipments from lands owned or leased by Mesabi Trust versus the percentages of production and shipments from lands owned by the State of Minnesota and others for the most recent two fiscal years.

As is the case with the volume of shipments from Silver Bay, Minnesota, the Trustees cannot predict what percentage of production or shipments will be attributable to iron ore mined from Mesabi Trust lands in fiscal 2026. However, pursuant to the Amendment, Mesabi Trust will be credited with at least 90% of the first four million tons of iron ore pellets shipped from Silver Bay, Minnesota in each calendar year, at least 85% of the next two million tons of pellets shipped from Silver Bay, Minnesota in each calendar year, and at least 25% of all tons of pellets shipped from Silver Bay, Minnesota in each calendar year in excess of six million tons.

Comparison of Financial Results for Fiscal Years ended January 31, 2025 and January 31, 2024

Royalty Income

As shown in the table below, in fiscal 2025 base royalties increased by 27.3%, bonus royalties increased by 4.2% and fee royalties decreased by 22.7%, each as compared to fiscal 2024. Accordingly, the Trust’s total royalty income increased by 15.2% in fiscal 2025 as compared to fiscal 2024. The increase in royalties received by the Trust is the result of the mine not being idled in fiscal 2025, as compared to being idled for approximately three months in fiscal 2024.

The royalty amounts set forth in the table above include pricing adjustments made to royalty payments previously received by the Trust based on shipments from Silver Bay, Minnesota during prior calendar years. Depending on the year, the volume of shipments, and the interim and final price paid to the Trust for shipments from Silver Bay, Minnesota, the price adjustment provisions of any Cliffs Customer Contracts may increase or decrease, in some cases materially, the royalties paid to the Trust. Because the Trust is not a party to Cliffs Customer Contracts, the Trustees are unable to predict the extent of any pricing adjustments that may occur under any Cliffs Customer Contracts or whether the adjustments will increase or decrease royalties payable to the Trust. With the current volatility in demand and prices for iron ore and steel products, the price adjustment provisions in any Cliffs Customer Contracts may have a significant impact on future royalties payable to the Trust and the adjustments, depending on whether they are positive or negative, may increase or decrease the distributions payable to Unitholders.

Total Revenues, Expenses, Net Income and Distributions

As set forth in the table below, net income for fiscal 2025 increased by 391.3%, as compared to fiscal 2024, primarily attributable to the recognition of $71,185,029 in revenue related to the AAA arbitration award in the current fiscal year (which is non-recurring) as well as an increase in royalty income which is attributable to an increase in pricing and shipments of iron ore, as compared to the prior fiscal year. Total expenses for fiscal 2025 increased by 37.2% as compared to fiscal 2024. A more detailed summary of the Trust’s expenses, including legal and consulting expenses, is set forth under the heading “Trust Expenses” in this Annual Report.

The Trust’s total revenue and net income for fiscal 2025 increased by 331.3% and 391.3%, respectively, primarily attributable to the recognition of $71,185,029 in revenue related to the AAA arbitration award in the current fiscal year (which is non-recurring) as well as an increase in royalty income which is attributable to an increase in pricing and shipments of iron ore, as compared to the prior fiscal year. The increase in the Trust’s net income in fiscal 2025 resulted in a 862.5% increase in total distributions declared to Unitholders in fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal year 2024.

Unallocated Reserve

As set forth in the table below, the Unallocated Reserve increased by $2,352,574 or 11.2% to $23,327,717, as of January 31, 2025, as compared to $20,975,143 as of January 31, 2024. As of January 31, 2025, the Unallocated Reserve included $22,140,471 in unallocated cash and cash equivalents, $1,160,761 of accrued income receivable, and $240,642 of a contract asset. Comparatively, as of

January 31, 2024, the Unallocated Reserve included $19,126,044 in unallocated cash and cash equivalents, $1,960,358 of accrued income receivable, and $451,896 of a contract asset.

The 11.2% increase in the Unallocated Reserve for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025 as compared to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024, is primarily the result of an increase in the unallocated cash and cash equivalents, offset by a decrease in accrued income receivable.

Accrued Income Receivable. The $799,597, or 40.8%, decrease in the accrued income receivable portion of the Unallocated Reserve is the result of a decrease in shipments in January 2025 compared to January 2024.

*Unallocated Cash and Cash Equivalents.*The Trust’s unallocated cash and cash equivalents for unexpected obligations increased by 15.8% to $22,140,471 as of January 31, 2025 from $19,126,044 as of January 31, 2024. The $3,014,427 increase in the Trust’s cash reserve resulted from greater royalty payments received in January 2025 for the fourth calendar quarter activity as compared to January 2024.

As described elsewhere in this Annual Report, pricing estimates are adjusted on a quarterly basis as updated pricing information is received from Cliffs. It is possible that future negative price adjustments could offset, or even eliminate, royalties or royalty income that would otherwise be payable to the Trust in any particular quarter, or at year end, thereby potentially reducing cash available for distribution to the Trust’s Unitholders in future quarters. See discussion under the heading “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.