Cliffs Natural Resources’ proposed $3.3 billion takeover of coal producer Alpha Natural Resources is heading to court instead of a shareholder vote. Abingdon, Va.-based Alpha is asking a Delaware court to require Cliffs to hold a shareholder vote on the deal Nov. 21, the date agreed to by both companies. Spokesman Ted Pile said the action was filed after Cliffs told Alpha it was unilaterally seeking to postpone the vote. Proxy materials already have been mailed and Pile says votes are being received. Cleveland-based Cliffs says it intends to fight the suit, which it said is without merit. Cliffs also has rescheduled shareholder voting for Dec. 19. Combined, Cliffs and Alpha would have operations in Canada,Australia, Brazil, Michigan, Minnesota, West Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, Virginia and Pennsylvania.