Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

(d) The Trustees of Great Northern Iron Ore Properties filed a Petition with the Ramsey County District Court, State of Minnesota ("District Court") seeking confirmation of newly appointed successor Trustee James E. Swearingen, effective December 1, 2009, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Trustee John H. Roe III on July 13, 2009. By Court Order dated October 19, 2009, the District Court Judge confirmed the appointment of James E. Swearingen as a successor Trustee of the Trust of Great Northern Iron Ore Properties, with an effective date of December 1, 2009. Mr. Swearingen's solid business background, including his extensive mining industry experience, was a significant factor in appointing him as a successor Trustee. In addition to being named a successor Trustee, Mr. Swearingen was appointed to the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Pension Plan Investment Committee. Pursuant to the 1906 Trust Agreement, as modified by Court Orders, the current annual compensation to each Trustee (other than the President of the Trustees) is $70,000. The full text of the Court Order, along with the press release, is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto and is incorporated into this Current Report as if fully set forth herein.