Dec 16 (Reuters) - Fortescue Metals Group Ltd FMG.AX :
* Has issued a US$1.0 bln repayment notice for 2019 senior secured credit facility
* Fortescue's nearest debt maturity is in june 2019 and is now less than us$2.0 billion
* US$1.0 billion repayment of term loan will be made at par on Friday 23 december 2016 resulting in annual interest savings of about US$38 million
* "US$1.0 billion payment is a continuation of our focussed debt repayment strategy and further lowers our total cost position" Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: FMG.AX