Andrew McLean
Andrew McLean is a Partner in Banking & Finance, specialising in project and corporate finance.
Andrew is one of Australia’s leading project finance lawyers and a recognised adviser to the mining sector. He acts for lenders, sponsors, government financiers and private capital providers on complex financings supporting major resources and energy projects. Combining deep sector knowledge with commercial judgement, Andrew helps clients secure and deploy capital on strategically important developments. Clients value his practical, collaborative approach and regard him as a trusted adviser on high-value, business-critical transactions.
Andrew is a Partner in our Banking & Finance team and is widely recognised for his work on some of the most significant mining projects in Australia. He advises sponsors, lenders, export credit agencies, government financiers and private capital providers on the structuring, financing and delivery of complex projects that are critical to economic growth and the energy transition.
With extensive experience across project finance, corporate finance and acquisition financing, Andrew is particularly sought after for transactions involving innovative capital structures, multiple funding sources and complex stakeholder groups. His ability to combine technical excellence with a deep understanding of the resources sector has made him a go-to adviser on landmark developments, critical minerals projects and first-of-their-kind financings.
Andrew's clients include Mineral Resources Limited, IGO Limited, BCI Minerals, Astron Limited, NAIF, Export Finance Australia, Westpac, ANZ, CBA, NAB, Nedbank and Synergy. He was named WA Project Finance and Development Lawyer of the Year in the 2026 Best Lawyers Australia awards and listed as a pre-eminent banking and finance lawyer in WA in Doyle’s Guide 2026. He is widely respected for delivering practical, commercial outcomes on the market's most challenging transactions.
Experience & capabilities
Selected matters
- Acting for the Lenders and ECAs (including NAIF, EFA, Export Development Canada, KEXIM and Euler Hermes) on the financing of Arafura Rare Earths Limited’s Nolans rare earths project in NT;
- Acting for Astron Limited on the project financing of the Donald rare earths and mineral sands project in Victoria.
- The lenders on the finance facilities for Genesis Minerals Limited to support its acquisition of Vault Minerals Limited.
- Acting for the lenders on the refinancing and corporate facilities provided to Greatland Gold in relation to the acquisition of the Telfer project and the development of the Havieron project.
- Acting for Sandfire Resources on the project financing of its Motheo copper project in Botswana
- Acting for IGO Lmited on the $1.1bn acquisition facility for a 49% share of Tianqi Lithium Corporation’s interest in the Greenbushes lithium mine and Kwinana processing facilities in Western Australia and subsequent acquisition of Western Areas Limited
- Acting for BCI Minerals on the development and $981m financing of the Mardie Salt and Potash project, including NAIF, EFA and Export Development Canada funding.
- Acting for Societe Generale, SMBC and Export Development Canada on refinancing facilities to Leichhardt Industrials Group in relation to the Lake MacLeod salt project.
- Acting for the lenders on the A$600 million revolving credit facility for Westgold Resources
- Acting for the lenders on the A$110 million Revolving Credit Facility and A$40 million Contingent Instrument Facility for Alkane Resources
Sectors
Services
Background
Andrew graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Laws (Distinction) and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours). He has also completed a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance.
After commencing his career in the firm's Perth office, Andrew spent 4 years in the Melbourne office. Prior to returning to the Perth office in 2014, Andrew spent two years working with a top-tier finance firm in Paris.
Recognition
WA Project Finance and Development Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers, Australia
Pre-eminent banking and finance lawyer for WA, Doyle’s Guide
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