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Own Fortescue shares? You may have missed this week's 'game changer' moment

What did Fortescue announce?

Posted by
Monica O'Shea
Monica is a journalist with experience working for Daily Mail Australia in Sydney and the Port Pirie Recorder and the Flinders News in South Australia. Monica completed a journalism cadetship in 2013. She also hold a B.Science (Biotechnology) with Honours from the University of Adelaide. Monica has worked in government at the local, state and federal level. Monica has a keen interest in finance and the share market and enjoys exploring the highs and lows. When not writing for Motley Fool Australia, Monica enjoys travel, sport, music, and likes to play the violin in her spare time.
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Key points
  • Fortescue shares are slightly in the green today 
  • The company has commenced production at Iron Bridge 
  • This project will produce more than 22 million tonnes of high grade magnetite concentrate per annum 

Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) has commenced production at the Iron Bridge Magnetite Project, 145km south of Port Hedland in Western Australia.

Fortescue shares are rising 0.14% today and are fetching $20.98 at the time of writing. For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) is sliding 0.39% today.

Let's take a look at what Fortescue announced to the market in more detail.

Two men in hard hats and high visibility jackets look together at a laptop screen at a mine site.

Image source: Getty Images

What's happening?

Fortescue has produced maiden magnetite at Iron Bridge at a first run grade of more than 68% Fe (iron).

The high grade magnetite product is now ready for shipping and suitable for steelmaking after being transported through a 135km slurry pipeline.

Iron Bridge will produce 22 million tonnes of high grade magnetite concentrate per year.

The project has involved nearly 20 years of planning and included more than 20 million hours of work.

Commenting on the news, Fortescue executive chairman Dr Andrew Forrest AO said:

Iron Bridge will lead the way for a successful magnetite industry in Western Australia and is a
game changer for not only Fortescue, but the wider iron ore industry.

More than 20,000 jobs were created for the Iron Bridge project and $3.6 billion worth of goods and services were sourced within Western Australia.

Commenting further on the project, Fortescue CEO Fiona Hick said:

The construction of Iron Bridge, Fortescue's first magnetite operation, was complex particularly while managing the added challenges resulting from COVID-19 and border closures.

I'm particularly proud that the team was able to deliver this project while maintaining strong safety performance.

Our focus is now on achieving safe and efficient ramp up.

Increased iron ore production could have a positive impact on Fortescue's net profit after tax (NPAT).

Iron ore futures are currently up 0.09% to US$102.05 a tonne on the Singapore Exchange.

Fortescue share price snapshot

Fortescue shares have lost 3.09% in the last year.

The company has a market cap of about $64.6 billion based on the latest share price.

Motley Fool contributor Monica O'Shea has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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