25 Years of Commissioning & Ramp-Up Performance: McNulty Curves Revisited
Join us on March 12, 2026, for a CIM Distinguished Lecture, followed by a networking reception at the University of Calgary.
The EPM Research Group at the University of Calgary, and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum (CIM) are proud to host a special lecture next week as part of the CIM Distinguished Lecturer Program.
On Thursday, March 12, 2026, renowned metallurgical engineer Dr. Terence P. (“Terry”) McNulty will present a lecture titled “25 Years of Commissioning & Ramp-Up Performance: McNulty Curves Revisited.”
Speaker: Dr. Terence P. McNulty
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Time: 4:30 PM (MDT)
Location: University of Calgary, N.W. Campus (Please register for more info)
Only a few spots remain, so we encourage interested participants to register soon.
Why Ramp-Up Performance Matters
One of the least understood, but most critical, phases of major capital projects occurs after construction is completed: the period when facilities transition from commissioning to stable operations.
Across the mining, energy, and industrial sectors, many projects struggle during this stage. Even when construction is completed successfully, achieving design throughput and stable performance often takes far longer than expected. In some cases, it can take months or even years before operations stabilize.
Dr. McNulty’s well-known McNulty Curves offer one of the most widely referenced empirical frameworks for understanding this phenomenon. Developed through decades of case studies across the minerals and process industries, the curves illustrate how few projects achieve full capacity quickly and how varied ramp-up trajectories can be across facilities.
In this lecture, Dr. McNulty will revisit and update the curves based on additional case histories and share insights on:
Why many projects miss early throughput targets
The operational and managerial factors that influence ramp-up success
What distinguishes fast, stable start-ups from prolonged underperformance
Practical strategies project teams can use to reduce start-up risk
For professionals involved in project management, commissioning, operations readiness, and asset performance, these lessons are particularly valuable.
Learning from a Pioneer in the Industry
Dr. McNulty brings more than sixty years of experience across research, operations, and executive leadership in the minerals industry.
Over his career he has worked with organizations such as Anaconda Company, Kerr-McGee Chemical, and Hazen Research, and later founded T.P. McNulty and Associates, a global consulting firm specializing in metallurgy, mining, and process engineering.
His work has influenced generations of engineers and project managers seeking to understand the operational realities of large industrial facilities. With more than 50 publications, multiple patents in copper metallurgy, and recognition from leading professional societies, Dr. McNulty’s insights combine rigorous technical understanding with extensive real-world experience.
Event Sponsors
This event has been made possible through the generous support of:
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum (CIM)
EPM Research Group at the University of Calgary.
Hatch
AACE Calgary Section
