The winter edition of WA Works magazine has identified $5.6 billion worth of major projects for the state.

The biggest by far of the eight new listings is Fortescue Metals Group’s $3.8b (US$2.6b) Iron Bridge project near Port Hedland, which will take the company into the world of magnetite processing.

Fortescue also recently approved the $415 million (US$287m) Queens Valley project, designed to be an extension of its Solomon Hub.

Not since the early years of this decade have so many contractors, engineers, tradies and suppliers been shuttling in and out of Karratha, Port Hedland and Newman from Perth.

WA Works estimates there is nearly $16b of iron ore construction underway or approved as the majors either replace production or introduce new products.

Rio and Fortescue are building three mines each, while BHP is focusing all of its efforts on the giant $5b South Flank project.

But the updated list it is not all about iron ore. The remaining six new entries are a mix of accommodation, defence, education, lithium and mineral sands.

This edition features a special eight-page report into the WA’s rare earths minerals, which have been global front page news as trade tensions have run high between the US and China.

Other features offer supply chain insights into Rio Tinto’s fleet of rail robots, why iron ore is running hot, Perdaman’s urea plant, Volgren’s bus manufacturing deal as well as how a company is making breaks for itself in the defence industry.

For the full list of WA major projects, first access to sundowners and other supply chain news, subscribe to WA Works here.