QUARTERLY REPORT
For the period ending 31 March 2015
Fortescue has continued to generate positive cash margins increasing cash on hand to US$1.8 billion at 31 March 2015.
The focus on productivity and sustainable cost reductions sees C1 cost guidance for FY16 lowered to US$18 per wet metric tonne (wmt). Fortescue continued
to deliver on its targets in the March 2015 quarter maintaining operational performance above guidance, with 40.4mt shipped and C1 cost lowered to US$25.90/wmt, a nine per cent improvement from the prior quarter.
Fortescue is now entirely ex-growth capex and has lowered sustaining capital expenditure going forward following the commissioning of the fifth berth at Herb Elliott Port.
"Fortescue has achieved another strong operational result underpinned by outstanding performance on costs with C1 guidance for FY16 now at US$18/wmt.
Our relentless pursuit of sustainable cost reductions has ensured continued positive cash margins with closing cash increasing to US$1.8 billion, despite a volatile market impacted heavily by the threat of oversupply."
Nev Power, Fortescue CEO
HIGHLIGHTS
(million tonnes) Q3 Q2 VAR % FY14 Q3 VAR %
|
|
Overburden removed
|
66.7 91.2 -27%
|
92.2 -28%
|
|
Total ore shipped including third party product
|
40.4 41.1 -2%
|
31.5 +28%
|
|
Tonnage references are based on wet metric tonnes (wmt). Fortescue ships with approximately 8 - 9 per cent free moisture.
|
• 40.4mt shipped for the quarter
• US$25.90/wmt C1 cost, a further 9 per cent improvement from the prior quarter, in line with guidance
• US$18/wmt C1 cost guidance in FY16
• US$34/wmt total delivered cost for the quarter, a further 17 per cent improvement from the prior quarter
• Realised price (CFR) US$48/dmt, from an average 62% Platts final contract price of US$55/dmt
• US$170 million working capital improvement as iron ore inventories reduced by 8.6mt
• US$1.8 billion of cash on hand at 31 March 2015
Quarterly Report for the period ending 31 March 2015 I Fortescue Metals Group Limited I 1
Always look after the
safety
of ourselves and our mates
OPERATIONS
Safety
Safety continues to be the highest priority for all
Fortescue people.
During the quarter, a survey of our workforce showed a strong improvement in safety culture with improved scores across all our key safety performance measures.
For the March quarter, the total recordable injury frequency rate per million hours worked improved by five per cent over the previous quarter to 5.4,
14 per cent lower than the same period last year.
Aboriginal Engagement
The Fortescue Vocational Training and Employment Centres (VTECs) in Port Hedland and Roebourne continue to train and facilitate employment for Aboriginal people. Fortescue and its contractors employ 1,100 Aboriginal people, representing 12 per cent of the direct workforce.
At the end of the March 2015 quarter the total number of contracts and sub-contracts awarded to Aboriginal- owned businesses and joint ventures through the Billion Opportunities program was 198, taking the value of contracts awarded through the program to A$1.8 billion.
2 I Fortescue Metals Group Limited I Quarterly Report for the period ending 31 March 2015
(million tonnes) Q3 Q2 VAR % FY14 Q3 VAR %
|
Shipments - Fortescue mined ore
|
38.9 39.7 -2%
|
30.3 +28%
|
|
Total ore shipped including third party product
|
40.4 41.1 -2%
|
31.5 +28%
|
Mining, Processing and Shipping
Shipments during the quarter were 40.4mt, 28 per cent higher than the prior comparable period and slightly ahead of guidance. Shipments included 39.4 million Fortescue equity tonnes and 1.0 million third party tonnes.
As previously advised, Fortescue reduced mining activity during the quarter to draw down on excess mined iron ore stocks to reduce working capital levels and release cash
from the balance sheet. As a result, Fortescue mined 35.5mt of ore, 19 per cent less than the previous quarter and 20 per cent higher than the prior comparable period. Improving efficiencies, mining practices and continuing focus on Ore Processing Facility (OPF) performance and reliability remain as key priorities to reduce cash operating costs.
Strip ratios averaged 2.5 at the Chichester Hub and 1.0 at the Solomon Hub during the quarter and work continues to assess potential improvements to strip ratios through optimised scheduling, blending and improving OPF upgrade performance.
Total output from all processing facilities delivered 37.0mt
in the quarter, 19 per cent higher than the prior comparable period. OPF performance was one per cent higher than the December 2014 quarter and was achieved during seasonal weather interruptions and scheduled maintenance.
Port and rail maintained outload performance to support an annualised run rate in excess of 160mtpa.
Production and Costs
Production costs continue to reduce through initiatives including ongoing mining efficiencies, productivity and consolidation of mining contractors. C1 costs in the March
2015 quarter averaged US$25.90/wmt, a nine per cent improvement over the prior quarter and 26 per cent lower than the prior comparable period. The improved costs are in line with previous guidance and reflect the continuous operational focus across all sites, a lower Australian dollar and lower fuel prices.
Fortescue's total delivered cost to customers has also continued to decrease and was US$34/wmt inclusive of C1 and shipping, royalty and administration costs, 17 per cent lower than the prior quarter.
Fortescue remains sensitive to the movements in exchange rate, with approximately 70-80 per cent of C1 operating costs paid in Australian dollars. The US to Australian dollar exchange rate averaged 0.79 in the March quarter (0.86 in the December quarter). Each one cent movement in the exchange rate has a US$0.20-0.25/wmt impact on C1 cost. The declining price of oil during the March quarter lowered fuel and energy costs, which make up approximately
10 per cent of C1 operating costs and also has a significant impact on the cost of shipping.
Quarterly Report for the period ending 31 March 2015 I Fortescue Metals Group Limited I 3
GUIDANCE
Production and Costs
FY15 shipping guidance is increased to 160-165mt reflecting the strong operational performance for the year to date.
Fortescue continues to drive its cost savings initiatives to lower cost of production (excluding the averaging effect of inventory changes) to US$20/wmt by June 2015.
C1 costs for the June quarter US$23-24/wmt, FY15
US$26-27/wmt (previously US$28-29/wmt) based on average USD:AUD exchange rate of 0.77.
Preliminary FY16 shipping guidance is estimated at
165mtpa with C1 cost guidance of US$18/wmt.
This guidance reflects Fortescue's focus on sustainable cost reductions and is based on:
• a cost of production exit rate of US$20/wmt in FY15
• ongoing mining efficiency and productivity
• consolidation of mining contractors at Christmas Creek
• labour productivity improvements as announced on
14 April 2015
• procurement savings
• the supply of natural gas to the Solomon hub
Achieving US$18/wmt C1 costs reinforces Fortescue's competitive position relative to the major iron ore producers and results in a total delivered costs to China of US$25/wmt.
Based on the above, Fortescue's estimated all in break
even on a 62% Platts CFR price is US$39/dmt. This includes interest and sustaining capital expenditure. A summary of this break even price analysis is set out in the graph below.
This breakeven analysis has been based on a USD:AUD of 0.77, average price realisations of 85 per cent of the 62% Platts CFR price and an average moisture content of 8.5 per cent.
Fortescue will continue to explore opportunities to continue to lower its breakeven price. In an environment of sustained iron ore prices exchange rates are also expected to fall
which will further lower Fortescue's C1 costs, royalties, administration costs and sustaining capital.
Capital expenditure
Fortescue has now completed all expansion capital expenditure and is focused on maximising production through its existing asset base. Capital expenditure in FY16 will be limited to ensure existing operations remain sustainable and will not add any new production capacity. Sustaining capital expenditure, excluding exploration expenditure, is estimated to be US$330 million in FY16
or US$2/wmt.
Cash balances
Strong operational performance combined with the
cost reductions and a release of working capital allowed Fortescue to increase its cash balance in the March quarter to US$1.8 billion. Cash balances are expected to be maintained at or above US$1.5 billion through the June quarter based on lower operating costs together with
prepayment amortisation, interest payments and the interim
FY15 dividend paid in April.
FY16 guidance break even price - 62% Platts CFR index
50
USD:AUD of 0.77
40
30 4
5 2 0.5 25
2 31 3
5 39
20 18
10
0
4 I Fortescue Metals Group Limited I Quarterly Report for the period ending 31 March 2015
Prepayments
Fortescue has received significant interest from potential and existing customers who are interested in entering into new prepayment contracts or rolling over existing prepayments.
Subject to concluding those discussions, prepayment balances and the current amortisation schedule is set out in the table below.
31 December 2014
|
March quarter
|
June quarter estimated
|
FY16 estimated
|
FY17 estimated
|
(US$ millions)
|
amortisation
|
amortisation
|
amortisation
|
amortisation
|
1,200
|
200
|
150
|
500
|
350
|
MARKETING
The average 62% Platts CFR index was US$62 per dry metric tonne (dmt) during the March 2015 quarter compared to US$74/dmt in the December 2014 quarter, a 16 per cent decline over the previous quarter. The physical iron ore market is technically in balance as port stocks have steadily declined since its peak in November 2014 with seaborne iron ore increasing to 80 per cent of Chinese iron ore demand. Fortescue is seeing a gathering pace of restocking by customers and continues to sell all of its production. Offsetting this balance is the threat of oversupply from the major producers which is impacting price sentiment.
Despite current short term price weakness, Fortescue
remains confident in the strength of continued development and steel demand in China and other developing regions.
The Chinese government has reaffirmed its objective of ensuring ongoing GDP growth of 7 per cent and recently announced further easing measures and lower mortgage rates aimed at stabilising and supporting the Chinese
property market, one of the major drivers of steel demand.
Fortescue's product is sold under contractual terms which provide for finalisation of the contract price over varying periods following delivery. A sharp decline in the iron ore price during the March 2015 quarter lowered Fortescue's underlying contractual 62% Platts CFR price from the
average US$62/dmt to US$55/dmt, inclusive of 17mt of open contracts which were marked to market at 31 March 2015 (provisional pricing). Realisation on a final contractual basis, after the impact of provisional pricing, was maintained at
85 per cent or US$48/dmt for the March 2015 quarter.
Fortescue expects to realise between 85-90% of the
62% Platts index going forward. While Fortescue prices relative to the 62% Platts CFR index, the 58% MBIO (P) index approximates the realised price across our product range.
The chart below shows the 58% MBIO (P) realisation (dotted line) to the 62% Platts CFR index which has remained broadly within the 85-90% range over the last 12 months.
Quarterly Report for the period ending 31 March 2015 I Fortescue Metals Group Limited I 5
CORPORATE
Balance Sheet
Net debt at 31 March 2015 was US$7.4 billion has remained steady, with finance leases of US$0.5 billion (inclusive of the recently commissioned US$140 million finance lease on Fortescue River Gas pipeline) and cash on hand of US$1.8 billion.
Fortescue has no debt maturing until 2017 with a high level of flexibility and no maintenance covenants.
Fortescue continues to explore a number of options to refinance its earliest dated maturities with more than
70 per cent of long term debt available for voluntary
repayment or refinance at Fortescue's sole discretion.
Debt Maturity Profile
5,000
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
Pre-payable at Fortescue's option
4,876
Pre-payable at Fortescue's option
Pre-payable at Fortescue's option from April 2017
1,500 Pre-payable at
Fortescue's option
500
0
Pre-payable at
Fortescue's option 1,000
400
from Nov 2015
1,000
CY2015
CY2016
CY2017
CY2018
CY2019
CY2020 CY2021 CY2022
Senior Secured Credit Facility Senior Unsecured Notes
6 I Fortescue Metals Group Limited I Quarterly Report for the period ending 31 March 2015
DEVELOPMENT
Fortescue River Gas Pipeline
Construction of the Fortescue River Gas Pipeline connecting the Solomon Power Station to the Dampier to Bunbury Pipeline was completed in March 2015. The 270km,
16 inch pipeline was safely constructed over an 8 months construction period and will be fully commissioned during April 2015, less than 18 months after the formal award of the pipeline contract.
Iron Bridge Project
Construction of the 1.5mtpa Iron Bridge Joint Venture Stage
1 OPF project was completed in March 2015, with first ore delivered via pipeline to a concentrate handling facility on
17 March 2015, on budget and on schedule.
Load commissioning and plant testing is planned to continue through the June 2015 quarter. Stage 2 of the Iron Bridge Project remains subject to the successful operation of Stage 1 and joint venture approval.
AP5 Project
Construction and commissioning of the AP5 berth at Port
Hedland was successfully completed during March 2015,
10 days ahead of schedule and A$50 million under budget.
EXPLORATION
A Resource update for the Chichester Hub was issued
on 8 January 2015 and incorporated into the Company's production schedule.
Exploration work during the March 2015 quarter was limited to planning for brownfield and greenfield drilling programs scheduled for later in 2015.
Quarterly Report for the period ending 31 March 2015 I Fortescue Metals Group Limited I 7
COMPETENT PERSONS STATEMENT
The information in the report to which this statement is attached that relates to Exploration Results is based on information compiled by Mr Stuart Robinson and Mr Nicholas Nitschke who are both full time employees of Fortescue Metals Group Ltd and provided geological interpretations and compiled the exploration results. Mr Robinson, who is a Fellow of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Mr Nitschke, who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy have sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr Robinson and Mr Nitschke consent to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears.
CORPORATE PROFILE
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd ACN 002 594 872
Directors
Andrew Forrest Non-Executive Chairman
Owen Hegarty Vice Chairman
Mark Barnaba Lead Independent Director
Nev Power Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director
Jean Baderschneider Non-Executive Director Cao Huiquan Non-Executive Director Elizabeth Gaines Non-Executive Director Peter Meurs Executive Director Geoff Raby Non-Executive Director Sharon Warburton Non-Executive Director
Company Secretary
Ian Wells
Registered Office
and Principal Place of Business
Level 2, 87 Adelaide Terrace
East Perth, Western Australia 6004
TEL: +61 8 6218 8888
FAX: +61 8 6218 8880
WEB: www.fmgl.com.au
Share Registry
Link Market Services Limited
Level 4, Central Park
152 St Georges Terrace
Perth, Western Australia 6000
Locked Bag A14
Sydney South, New South Wales 1235
TEL: 1300 733 136 / +61 2 8280 7603
FAX: +61 2 9287 0303
WEB: www.linkmarketservices.com.au
Share Details
As at 31 March 2015, there were 3,113,798,151 ordinary shares on issue.
Unlisted Employee Options
Options expiring May 2015 ex A$5.00 7,500,000
FY13 Performance Rights 3,170,657
FY14 Performance Rights 5,660,559
FY15 Performance Rights 5,411,754
Substantial Shareholders as at
31 March 2015:
Minderoo Group Pty Ltd and
John Andrew Henry Forrest 33.32 per cent Hunan Valin Iron and Steel Group 14.72 per cent The Capital Group Companies Inc., 7.08 per cent
Reporting Calendar
June Quarterly Report: 23 July 2015
September Quarterly Report: 15 October 2015
Online: www.fmgl.com.au
Twitter: twitter.com/FortescueNews
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/FortescueMetalsGroup
Investor Relations: [email protected]
Media: [email protected]
8 I Fortescue Metals Group Limited I Quarterly Report for the period ending 31 March 2015