The Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price is in focus after the ASX iron ore share announced its quarterly June 2023 update.
Fortescue June quarterly update
This update from the mining company is largely about its operational performance for the three months.
In the June 2023 quarter, iron ore shipments came to 48.9 million tonnes (mt), which helped Fortescue deliver 192mt for FY23, achieving the top end of its market guidance.
Fortescue’s average revenue per dry metric tonne (dmt) for its iron was US$96, with average revenue of US$95 per dmt for FY23.
The ASX mining share kept a lid on costs. It said its production costs, the C1 cost, was US$17.57 per wet metric tonne (wmt) for the quarter and US$17,54 for FY23.
Over the quarter, net debt improved to US$1 billion at 30 June 2023, up from a net debt of US$2.1 billion at 31 March 2023.
Iron Bridge gets going
Fortescue noted that its high-quality iron project, Iron Bridge, started production during the quarter and the first concentrate was loaded onto a ship on 24 July 2023. The more that Iron Bridge can produce, the better off the Fortescue share price will be because of the higher grade content.
Decarbonisation
Separate to the company’s efforts to grow a green hydrogen division, it’s looking to decarbonise its own operations.
While this could cost billions, it will enable Fortescue to do its bit to reduce global emissions, and it will be able to sell ‘green iron’.
The first battery electric haul truck prototype delivered to the Christmas Creek site for testing in Pilbara operating conditions.
Fortescue Energy
Fortescue has decided to rebrand itself as ‘Fortescue’ rather than Fortescue Metals (and Fortescue Future Industries (FFI)).
It will have two divisions – Metals and Energy, with Energy consisting of FFI and WAE Technologies. WAE is focused on electric batteries.
It’s not making profit yet, but in the future I reckon this green energy division will have a substantial impact on the Fortescue share price.
While July is after this quarter finished, it noted that it is acquiring the Phoenix Hydrogen Hub. It also said that the Holmaneset Project in Norway was selected by the European Commission as a beneficiary of its Clean Technology Fund.
The company also noted the expansion of the WAE battery and electric power train production operations in the UK, with a new facility in Oxfordshire.
FY24 guidance
Iron ore shipments for the 2024 financial year were between 192mt to 197mt, including approximately 7mt from Iron Bridge. Therefore, excluding Iron Bridge, Fortescue’s other projects may not produce as much in the new financial year.
C1 costs for Pilbara hematite is US$18 to US$19 per wmt. In other words, Fortescue is expecting its cost base to increase.
Capital expenditure for FY24, excluding FFI, is expected to be between US$2.8 billion to U$3.2 billion.
Final thoughts on the Fortescue share price
The ASX mining share is making good progress on its projects, but I wouldn’t call today’s price a great time to buy after its 15% rise in 2023. I’d only want to think about buying below $20, the lower the better when it comes to a cyclical business like this iron ore miner.
