Exhibit 23(a)

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-113252) and related
Prospectus of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc for the registration of 172,500 shares of
redeemable cumulative convertible perpetual preferred stock and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 28, 2004, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
May 25, 2004