In the quarter, Fortescue’s (FMG) total ore shipped was 41.5 million tonnes, a new record, and a 60 per cent improvement on the previous corresponding quarter’s 25.9 million tonnes.

In the same period, Fortescue mined 42.9 million tonnes of ore, a 23 per cent improvement on the 34.9 million tonnes of ore mined in the September quarter last year.

C1 costs continued to fall in the three months to September 30, coming in at $US30.08 per wet metric tonne, a 3 per cent decrease on the previous corresponding quarter.

At the end of the September quarter, the miner said its net debt was sitting at $US6.9 billion, while cash on hand had increased to $US2.6bn.

Fortescue said it maintains its full-year production and shipping guidance at between 155 million tonnes and 160 million tonnes.

Fortescue said falls in iron ore prices in the September quarter impacted revenue, but demand remained robust.

“Fortescue continues to see strong demand for its ores, reflecting the value of its high quality low impurity products,” it said.