It is reported that Fortescue Metals Group Ltd has been forced to spend an additional AUD 100 million on rail construction as the company pushes to meet its export deadline of May 2008.

FMG said that track laying at the AUD 3.7 billion project had suffered delays and the company would be required to implement a number of initiatives to speed up the program.

These initiatives include the retention of Brierty Contracting to assist with additional construction work, and the deployment of heavy duty overburden removal equipment to further assist the external contractors.

Fortescue said AUD 100 million would be required to speed up rail construction to allow the company to meet its export deadline of mid May. The company said the funds would be drawn from a cost overrun facility that was raised in the initial debt package.