A recent study conducted by the University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was published in the Journal of Environmental Engineering, which showcased the use of Cypher’s UltraZyme Hydrocarbon product to remediate oil sands tailings. Oil sands consist of a mixture of sand, water, clay and bitumen, and in Canada the deposits that are the largest and most widely developed are known as the Athabasca Oil Sands. Although the most technologically advanced processes in the world are used to extract these Oil Sands deposits, there remains an accumulation of 1,075 million m^3 of tailings – enough to fill 430,000 Olympic sized swimming pools! The research conducted by the U of A using UltraZyme has shown promising advances in the steps being taken to improve the processes involved in the remediation and recycling of these tailings. The tailings being generated by the Athabasca Oil Sands can be generally … Read More
EarthZyme and Dust Stop Municipal Blend Studied by the Colombian National Roads Institute (INVIAS) for Country-wide Approval
A 1 km demonstration section of road using EarthZyme and Dust Stop Municipal Blend (DSMB) was recently built near Valencia, Cordoba, Colombia in a joint project between Cypher Environmental, Roadcorp, the University of Antioquia and The Colombian Ministry of Transportation. The University of Antioquia was tasked to independently study the road for the Ministry, as well as conduct simultaneous lab analysis of how EarthZyme and DSMB impact the engineering properties of the materials in the road. Other government entities in Colombia that are stakeholders in this project include INVIAS (The National Roads Institute) and the State Government of Cordoba, who generously provided the equipment for this project. It was also supported by COOVICOM, and Alcaldia de Valencia, who produced a great video during the construction process, that can be viewed below. This study is being conducted to investigate new techniques and technologies to assist with the better construction and … Read More
Cypher Launches Road Management Video Focussing on Rural Municipalities
In an effort to raise awareness of our eco-friendly and cost-effective haul road management solutions in the Rural Municipality sector, Cypher Environmental has produced a new promotional video—showcasing several of the municipalities involved with many of our dust control and soil stabilization projects in Canada over the past year. Our solutions have been proven to help our rural municipalities address the ecological footprint, maintenance costs and durability issues associated with haul road management. Since the recent development of Dust Stop® Municipal Blend—our most cost-effective product to date—we have seen a substantial increase in the attention of municipalities from all over the country. Due to the decreased road maintenance requirements and simple application procedure, municipalities have been able to divert their attention from high-maintenance unpaved roads to other pressing matters, with peace-of-mind. We would like to acknowledge and give our thanks for the continued support from The Rural Municipality of Cornwallis, … Read More
Brandon University & Cypher Environmental Featured in Brandon Sun
The Brandon Sun recently published an article entitled ‘New Clay-Based Mixture Could Be the Key to Smooth Sailing on Rural Roads’, written by author Michael Lee. The article showcases the recent Lunch & Learn presentation hosted by Dr. Mumin and Brandon University, which highlighted several research and innovation projects stemming from a partnership between Cypher Environmental and Brandon University. The projects focused on the application of EarthZyme® to rural roads in proximity to Brandon over several years, as well as the research of the long term load bearing strength and durability of these applications. Read the excerpt below, or click here to view the full article. Brandon University (Brandon, Manitoba) The cure to Manitoba’s pothole problem may lie in a clay mixture currently being studied and refined at Brandon University. A joint-venture between Dr. Hamid Mumin, a professor of geology at BU, and the Winnipeg-based company Cypher Environmental has shown … Read More
Dr. Hamid Mumin Gives Presentation on EarthZyme® Research Conducted in Partnership with Brandon University
Cypher Environmental was pleased to host a Lunch & Learn presentation at Brandon University earlier this week, given by Dr. Hamid Mumin. The presentation outlined the specific application and results of the soil stabilization research project jointly funded by Brandon University and Cypher Environmental. Having spearheaded a team of Geological students over the duration of this project, Dr. Mumin gave a very detailed look at the improved engineering properties of clay soils with EarthZyme®, as well as an evaluation of 3 miles of roads being built with EarthZyme® in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Cornwallis, just outside the City of Brandon, Manitoba. Representatives from many different industry sectors were in attendance—from Rural Municipalities and Public Works to road construction and private industry—all intrigued by the many benefits of our environmentally-friendly and cost-effective soil stabilization solution for problematic roads! Following the presentation, Dr. Mumin gave the representatives a tour of Brandon … Read More
Innovation in Myanmar Road Construction Using EarthZyme®
Cypher recently finished two projects in Myanmar, involving the use of EarthZyme® combined with inexpensive localized clay road material. Both projects are a result of the local government responding to alleviate the problematic conditions that are characteristic of the region’s rural roads. Both roads are susceptible to heavy volumes of traffic, leading to insurmountable construction and maintenance costs, as well as lengthy construction delays. These projects were carried out in order to find a cost-effective method of road construction that would withstand this traffic for longer periods and alleviate long-term construction costs. Cypher Environmental’s own Construction Foreman, Jayme Gladden, oversaw the entire production of both projects—helping to educate the local construction workers on proper application technique. The first project took place between Shwe Hlay village and Shwe Ku village. The roads around these villages were in extremely poor shape and had enormous potholes—roughly 1m2 in diameter—making it extremely difficult to … Read More
PDAC 2018 Shows Promising Growth in Mineral Exploration & Mining Industry
The 2018 PDAC Convention in Toronto—the world’s premier mineral exploration and mining convention—attracted investors, analysts, mining executives, prospectors, geologists, Indigenous peoples, government officials and students from over 125 countries. The convention attendance totalled 25,606—signifying a new wave of momentum in the industry and showing great promise for years to come. It’s no secret that the mineral exploration and mining industry has faced its share of adversity in recent years. Fluctuating fuel and operational costs, paired with international economic disparity and instability have presented new challenges in the industry. Fortunately, these challenges have been met with innovative and efficient new solutions from all facets of the sector; from transportation and logistics, to operations and production—even the smallest adjustments have led to substantial improvements in project feasibility and profitability. Cypher Environmental, an industry pioneer in dust control and soil stability solutions, has answered the call in providing a range of products to … Read More
EarthZyme® Mine Haul Road in Xilinhot, China Reduces Fuel Consumption by 17.4%—Saving Mining Operation Millions of Dollars
Cypher was recently provided with an abstract of a study conducted on an EarthZyme® haul road application at an open-pit coal mine in Xilinhot, China, by Shenhua Beidian Shengli Energy Co. Ltd. Following the success of a demo road in 2013, the mining operation built an additional 10km of EarthZyme® haul road in 2014. Over the following year of operation, the mine haul road was carefully monitored and tested for vehicle rolling resistance, while simultaneously comparing operational costs. Once the field study was complete and a careful analysis was conducted, the abstract was released, containing the study results. Approximately 1 million gallons of fuel saved per year. At an approximate rate of $3.60 USD per US gallon, approximately $3.6 million USD in fuel savings per year. EarthZyme® road exhibited substantial increases in engineering properties, while reducing dust generation by over 60%, in addition to requiring minimal maintenance. Increased road stability … Read More
Cypher Environmental, Brandon University Featured in Automotive News Canada
Automotive News Canada recently published an article entitled ‘Canadian Universities Providing Vital Auto Research’, written by author Rob Bostelaar. The article highlights several research and innovation projects stemming from partnerships between Canadian Universities and the private sector, with the goal of building an automotive future which is based on research & development, software development and technology. Read the excerpt below, or click here to view the full article. Brandon University (Brandon, Manitoba) For much of rural and northern Canada, dirt and gravel roads can be an unfortunate part of daily life. “If you live near or use gravel roads, then you know the problem,” writes a Brandon University research team led by geology professor Hamid Mumin. “They generate choking and noxious dust clouds when dry, and quickly lose strength and degrade to mucky conditions when wet.” But better gravel roads are possible. Mumin and his assistants are adding polymers and … Read More
Maclean’s Magazine Publishes Article on Red River College Research Partnership and Development of Dust Stop® Municipal Blend
Maclean’s recently interviewed Teaghan Wellman, Director of Research & Development / QA / QC at Cypher Environmental, and Said Hassan, Life Sciences Instructor at Red River College, following up with an article regarding the partnership between Cypher Environmental and Red River College in the development of Cypher’s latest product, DUST STOP® Municipal Blend. The dust control and soil stabilization product is the culmination of a relationship established between the Winnipeg company and college in 2014 by Todd Burns, Owner & President of Cypher Environmental. A graduate of Red River College’s Life Sciences program, Teaghan Wellman, along with approximately 70% of Cypher’s staff are graduates of the college, showcasing RRC’s ability to create jobs for its graduates through partnerships with companies like Cypher. One of Red River College’s primary objectives is bridging the gap between education and industry; whether by implementing work placement programs or the facilitation of student research grants, … Read More