Fortescue iron ore shipments surge in Sept qtr

Published: 11 Oct 2009 13:46:03 PST

SYDNEY, Oct 12 - Fortescue Metals Group Ltd <FMG.AX>, Australia's third-largest iron ore miner, reported on Monday a 19 percent rise in ore shipped between the June and September quarters, to 9.53 million tonnes.

The firm, which sells its ore to China, also said mine output jumped 16 percent between the two quarters, above its guidance to the market, and that it would spend A$360 million ($326 million) to fast-track development of its Christmas Creek mine. (Reporting by Mark Bendeich; editing by Jonathan Standing)