CAPITAL MARKETS

FMG winning iron ore cost battle

AS iron ore price hit a two-year, Fortescue Metals Group has been declared as the lowest-cost sea...

Kristie Batten

This article is 8 years old. Images might not display.

Metalytics Resource Sector Economics’ November 2016 review listed FMG as the lowest-cost producer, narrowly edging out Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.

FMG’s C1 costs for the September quarter were $US13.55 per wet metric tonne.

Full-year guidance is $12-13/wmt.

Only Vale has lower C1 costs, though its freight costs are more given the larger distance between Brazil and China.

“We are pleased that we have been formally recognised as the lowest-cost seaborne supplier of iron ore into China,” FMG CEO Nev Power said.

“This is testament to the hard work and commitment of the Fortescue team who remain absolutely focused on being the safest, lowest-cost and most profitable producer of iron ore.”

The Metal Bulletin 62% iron ore fines price hit a two-year high of $82.25/t overnight.

“At current iron ore prices we are generating strong cashflows and we will continue to repay our debt and strengthen our balance sheet,” Power said.

Net debt stood at $4.2 billion at the end of September with gearing sitting at 33%.

FMG shares hit a five-and-a-half year high today, reaching $A6.865 before closing at $6.69.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2024 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 117 jurisdictions globally, assessed across six risk categories and an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Company ESG Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The Mining Company ESG Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2024: Net Zero

Gain insights into decarbonisation trends and strategies from interviews with 20+ top mining executives and experts plus an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Project Pipeline Handbook 2024

View our 50 top mining projects, handpicked using a unique, objective selection process from a database of 450+ global assets.