Dimension Stone

Dimension stone is an important building material used worldwide, and therefore a valuable natural resource. Namibia has numerous deposits of good quality dimension stone displaying a variety of attractive colors, patterns and textures. The main rock types quarried are marble, granite, dolerite, conglomerate, and sodalite. The Ministry of Mines and Energy has compiled a brochure on potential dimension stone occurrences throughout the country (dimenstone brochure). This document is updated on a regular basis.

Marble Blocks

Granite Slab being cut

The Namibian dimension stone industry is dominated by international companies like R.E.D Graniti Ltd, Marline Granite Ltd, Eastern Granite and Stone Africa. Locally owned quarry companies include Marmorwerke Karibib, Savanna Marble, Okatji Marble and several small-scale slasto and slate quarries.

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Dolomite (t)	9,812	7,708	12,602	12,602	18,485
Granite (t)	5,514	3,965	4,572	4,572	41,456
Marble (t)	8,218	4,862	880	880	10,830
Sodalite (t)	209	46	1,691	1,691	492

Namibia has three dimension stone cutting and polishing plants. The two smaller plants namely Marmorwerke in Karibib and Makakata in Omaruru provide polished marble and granite products for the local market. The third and largest plant – Namibian Stone Processing (N.S.P) - has recently been completed in Omaruru. N.S.P is a fully automated and computerised tile cutting and polishing plant, which will provide high-quality polished products for both the local and international market. Namibia’s largest cutting and polishing factory was completed in mid-2005, and has started processing marble and granite blocks.

Dimension Stone use in Namibia