Lab tests find no asbestos in Karibib marble dust

The Karibib Town Council says independent laboratory tests have found no asbestos fibres in marble dust and related by-products scattered across the town, following allegations in a recent report.

In a statement, the municipality this week said the tests were conducted in June 2025 on marble dust and related material, described in the earlier report as marble waste.

“Based on credible scientific evidence currently available, there is no confirmation of asbestos contamination in the marble sand distributed by the council,” the statement reads.

The tests were carried out by National Environmental Health Consultants, a Namibian institution specialising in asbestos inspection and monitoring.

Samples obtained from UWM Mineral Processing and Best Cheer Stone Group confirmed that no asbestos fibres were detected in any of the analysed materials, the municipality said.

The results contradict allegations that asbestos fibres are present in material distributed in the town.

Asbestos-free

Karibib CEO Tangeni Enkono said the municipality issued the clarification in the interest of factual accuracy and public confidence.

The municipality added that the marble dust, sand or waste made available to residents as affordable building and landscaping material does not contain asbestos, according to the verified laboratory findings.

The earlier report alleged that marble mining and processing waste containing asbestos fibres had been dumped in and around Karibib, raising fears of long-term health risks. Those claims sparked debate within the marble sector, with industry figures divided over whether the issue represents a genuine environmental concern or a commercial dispute playing out in public.

Clean and safe

Franz Wittreich, chief executive of Namibia Marble and Granite (NAMAGRA), reiterated that his company’s marble has undergone extensive testing. Wittreich provided a physical test report to this publication confirming the absence of asbestos fibres.

“NAMAGRA is mining Namibia White Rhino Marble and we have done all sorts of tests as required by international standards. As such, we can prove that our marble does not have any asbestos fibres. Our material and products are clean and safe for your home, garden, animals and public places,” he said.

A manager from Best Cheer Stone Group previously rejected allegations of wrongdoing, saying the company operates in line with government requirements and describing the claims as commercially motivated rivalry within the sector.