SYDNEY, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Fortescue Metals Group FMG.AX boosted iron ore shipment by 5.0 percent in the September quarter to 43.8 million tonnes and said its costs had dropped for the eleventh straight quarter.
"Key to our sustained performance has been the alignment of our marketing and operations strategies to optimise production, maximise efficiency and consistently deliver quality products," Managing Director Nev Power said in releasing the company's latest quarterly operations data.
"This has driven C1 costs to $13.55 per wet metric tonne, the eleventh consecutive quarterly reduction, generating continued strong cash margins, he said.
The C1 cost represents direct production costs of iron ore, but doesn't represent the full cost of production.