June Quarterly Production Report

Summary

• Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) for Metals of 1.3 in the 12 months to 30 June 2024 (FY24), a 28 per cent improvement from 30 June 2023.
• Record iron ore shipments of 53.7 million tonnes (Mt) in Q4 FY24, 10 per cent higher than Q4 FY23. This contributed to total shipments of 191.6 million tonnes in FY24.
• Pilbara Hematite average revenue of US$92/dry metric tonne (dmt) for the quarter, realising 82 per cent of the average Platts 62% CFR Index, and average revenue of US$103/dmt in FY24.
• Industry leading cost position, with Pilbara Hematite C1 cost of US$18.53/wet metric tonne (wmt) in Q4 FY24 and US$18.24/wmt in FY24.
• Iron Bridge Concentrate average revenue of US$127/dmt for the quarter was 101 per cent of the average Platts 65% CFR Index, and average revenue of US$137/dmt in FY24.
• Strong cashflow generation contributed to a cash balance of US$4.9 billion and net debt of US$0.5 billion at 30 June 2024. This is after capital expenditure of US$2.9 billion in FY24.
• Decarbonisation progress included initial commissioning of the 100 megawatt solar farm at North Star Junction and first operation of a hydrogen-powered battery electric haul truck prototype.
• Pecem Green Hydrogen Project in Brazil advanced to feasibility phase, including commencement of the Front End Engineering Design process.
• Fortescue-Actis consortium awarded rights to develop green hydrogen projects in Oman.
• Fortescue signs contracts for sale of first electrolysers from its electrolyser facility in Gladstone, Queensland.
• In July 2024, announced a management and organisational update to simplify the Company’s structure, remove duplication and deliver cost efficiencies.
• Appointment of Apple Paget as Group Chief Financial Officer and Shelley Robertson as Chief Operating Officer.
• FY25 guidance for total shipments of 190 - 200Mt, including 5 - 9Mt from Iron Bridge (100 per cent basis) and a C1 cost for Pilbara Hematite of US$18.50 - US$19.75/wmt.

Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer, Dino Otranto said, “It’s been an outstanding quarter by the team who rallied together to deliver record iron ore shipments of 53.7Mt which was 10 per cent higher than the June quarter last year. This record result demonstrated the efficiencies gained through our recovery plan following the ore car derailment in December 2023.

“Importantly, we achieved this while maintaining our laser focus on safety with our Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate improving to 1.3 for the financial year. This is an incredible achievement and shows a 28 per cent improvement from the previous year.

“On decarbonisation, we remain firmly committed to our target of Real Zero by 2030, without voluntary carbon offsets. During the quarter we commenced commissioning of our 100 megawatt solar farm at North Star Junction which will eliminate up to 180,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent from our operations every year once fully commissioned. Our hydrogen-powered haul truck prototype also operated on hydrogen for the first time and will soon be transported to our Christmas Creek site to undergo site-based commissioning and testing.

“Looking ahead to FY25, we’re seeking to achieve record shipments with guidance of 190 - 200Mt. As part of bringing together Metals and Energy into One Fortescue, we are simplifying our structure and removing duplication that will ensure Fortescue is lean, impactful and can move quickly to seize opportunities.”

Fortescue Energy Chief Executive Officer, Mark Hutchinson said, “As we lead the world in industrial decarbonisation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to green hydrogen. Our financial discipline will ensure that we focus hard only on those projects that are economic and deliver best value for shareholders. 

“We continue to progress our initial four green hydrogen projects across Australia, the United States, Norway and Brazil, which each draw on the unique strengths of the countries they are in. Projects in Morocco, Oman, Egypt and Jordan will follow next, while we maintain a further pipeline of opportunities that will progress when power prices fall sufficiently to bring them to economic viability and global demand for green hydrogen increases.

“During the quarter, the Energy business achieved several milestones including the Pecem Green Hydrogen Project in Brazil receiving approval by the Fortescue Board to advance to feasibility stage. We also entered into a consortium with Actis where we were awarded the rights to develop and operate a large green hydrogen project in Oman.

“Our Fortescue Zero green technologies also went from strength to strength as we signed our first contracts to sell electrolysers from our Gladstone facility and finalised a multi-year deal with JLR to use Fortescue’s cutting-edge battery intelligence software, Elysia, in its next-generation electric vehicles.”

Marketing

^{Timing differences may occur between shipments and sales as FMG Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd holds inventory at Chinese ports.}

• Fortescue’s Pilbara Hematite average revenue of US$92.12/dmt in Q4 FY24 represents a realisation of 82 per cent of the average Platts 62% CFR Index of US$111.82/dmt.
• Pilbara Hematite average revenue for FY24 was US$103.01/dmt representing 86 per cent of the average Platts 62% CFR Index of US$119.48/dmt.
• Iron Bridge Concentrate average revenue of US$127.37/dmt in Q4 FY24 was 101 per cent of the average Platts 65% CFR Index of US$126.11/dmt.
• Iron Bridge Concentrate average revenue for FY24 was US$136.58/dmt representing a realisation of 104 per cent of the average Platts 65% CFR Index of US$131.45/dmt.
• China portside sales through FMG Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd were 3.3Mt in Q4 FY24, contributing to full year sales of 11.3Mt.

   

Minerals exploration

• Total exploration and studies capital expenditure in Q4 FY24 was US$83 million and in FY24 was US$266 million.
• Iron ore exploration continues in the Pilbara with a focus on drilling programs at Mindy South, White Knight and Wyloo North. In addition, near mine exploration continues to be a focus at both Solomon and the Chichester Hub.
• Drilling programs are underway in Western Australia and South Australia on copper targets and will continue through Q1 FY25.
• Exploration activities and drilling continued to advance the Belinga Iron Ore Project in the June Quarter, with seven rigs on site. To date, over 45,000 meters of Reverse Circulation and 7,000 meters of diamond core have been completed at the Project.
• Finalising preparation for the FY25 drilling season is underway, with drilling on several projects planned in Argentina and a program in Peru.

Financial position

• Fortescue’s cash balance was US$4.9 billion at 30 June 2024, compared to US$4.1 billion at 31 March 2024.
• Gross debt increased to US$5.4 billion at 30 June 2024 from US$5.3 billion at 31 March 2024, and net debt was US$0.5 billion (US$1.2 billion at 31 March 2024).
• Total capital expenditure and investments for the quarter was US$783 million and for FY24 was US$2.9 billion.

FY25 guidance

• Iron ore shipments of 190 - 200Mt, including 5 - 9Mt from Iron Bridge (100 per cent basis).
• C1 cost for Pilbara Hematite of US$18.50 - US$19.75/wmt.
• Metals capital expenditure of US$3.2 - US$3.8 billion, inclusive of:
  • Sustaining and hub development: US$2.0 - US$2.3 billion
  • Decarbonisation: US$700 - US$900 million
  • Iron ore and iron projects: US$150 million
  • Exploration and studies: US$300 - US$400 million.
• Guidance for Energy capital expenditure and net operating expenditure is approximately US$500 million and approximately US$700 million, respectively.

Guidance for C1 cost is based on an assumed FY25 average exchange rate of AUD:USD 0.68.

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