Iron ore producer Cliffs Natural Resources says it’s received court approval to change the date of a shareholder vote on its proposed 3.3 billion-dollar takeover of coal mine operator Alpha Natural Resources based in Abingdon Virginia. Cleveland-based Cliffs announced the decision Friday, saying the Delaware Chancery Court stipulated the new December 19th date can’t be changed without the OK of Alpha or a judge. Alpha had sought a court order requiring Cliffs to hold the shareholder vote November 21st. That’s the date agreed upon by both companies. Cliffs delayed to give shareholders more time to consider new information on the deal’s financial benefits. Combined, Cliffs and Alpha would have operations in Canada, Australia, Brazil, Michigan, Minnesota, West Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, Virginia and Pennsylvania.