FORTESCUE LTD 
By
4 January 2013
The Companies Officer Australian Stock Exchange Exchange Plaza
2 The Esplanade
Perth WA 6000
Dear Sir
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG, Fortescue) achieved a record 100 million tonne (mt) annualised run rate in December 2012 through its Herb Elliott Port Facility.
The Port facility loaded 8.5mt onto 45 ships during December to achieve a run rate
23 per cent higher than its previous monthly record set in May 2012. The increased throughput was a result of a number of milestones that occurred in December, including the ramp up of the second ore processing facility at the Christmas Creek mine, first ore from the Solomon mine and the opening of the Fortescue Hamersley Rail Line.
Fortescue CEO Nev Power said Fortescue's latest record was an outstanding end to 2012, exceeding the previously announced target of a production rate of 95 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by the end of 2012.
"While the year has been a difficult one with volatility in the iron ore market, we finished the year on a huge high. This achievement demonstrates the continuing
ability of Fortescue's people and infrastructure to achieve great results.
I am very
excited about 2013, it is going to be a year of continued strong growth and new milestones for our company," Mr Power said.
New records are expected to continue to be set throughout 2013. The 20mtpa Firetail deposit at Solomon is already ramping up and Fortescue is on track to reach its near term target rate of 115mtpa in this quarter. The development of the Kings deposit at Solomon is resuming this month to deliver an additional 40mtpa of low cost production by December 2013 and take the annual production rate to 155mtpa.
Yours sincerely
Company Secretary
Media Contact:
Blair McGlew
0407 082 282 bmcglew@fmgl.com.au
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