Record production boosts Fortescue shares

Fortescue Metals' record monthly iron ore production in August has given the company's shares a boost, as other iron ore miners fell.

Shares in Fortescue Metals have outshone those of its peers after the miner hit a new monthly record for iron ore shipments.

The world's fourth largest iron ore miner shipped 15.16 million tonnes of iron ore in August, and also broke processing and production records.

The result smashed the miner's previous record of 13.25mt, set just two months earlier.

"This great team effort started at our mining operations, continued along our world-class rail line and finished at the port where we are meeting the high demand for our iron ore with record volumes of tonnes shipped," chief executive Nev Power said.

Shares in Fortescue gained five cents, or 1.25 per cent, to $4.05, while shares in other major iron ore miners - BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto - fell.

Fortescue shares were among the most traded on the market.

The company in August reported a 56 per cent rise in full year net profit to a record $US2.7 billion.

At the time, Mr Power said Fortescue expected iron ore prices to remain high as high-cost production is forced out and Chinese demand stays high.

However, iron ore prices have fallen from over $US90 in August to $US85.70 overnight.

When iron ore prices fell sharply in 2012 and tested Fortescue's profitability, it was forced to secure a $US4.5 billion funding line to avoid breaching its debt covenants.

Its net debt reached a peak last year of $US10.5 billion but has been rapidly cut to $US7.2 billion, with the company planning to repay another $US500 million in October.

Fortescue expects to produce 155 to 160 million tonnes of iron ore in fiscal 2015.

It has cut costs by about $US2 billion since 2012 including 23 per cent in production costs in the last year.

All-in costs are about $US60 a tonne, meaning it can handle further falls in the iron ore price.


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