Okahandja Roads and Stormwater

Okahandja Roads and Stormwater

Lithon completed a detailed topographical survey and geotechnical investigation of current roads. Followed by detailed design, maintenance and construction of new roads and stormwater structures in Okahandja. Concrete drifts, stormwater culverts, and speed humps. Maintenance works included crack sealing, pothole repairs and crack sealing. Site Supervision of construction works is currently in progress.   DESCRIPTION…

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Oranjemund Landfill Phase 2

Oranjemund Landfill Phase 2

The Oranjemund Town Council aims to play its part in reducing the Carbon footprint by meeting Environmental standards of Solid waste managements with this. Iit is therefore constructing a Landfill second of its kind in Namibia to the Kuppferberg landfill in Windhoek. The above Landfill consists of waste collection cells, Leachate dam and a Material…

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Oranjemund Airport Crew Facility

Oranjemund Airport Crew Facility

Lithon was hired to offer their expertise in the design of the building’s Structural elements and Supervision thereof. The building has a massive reinforced concrete slab covering over 1000m2. The structural elements, bases, columns, surfacebeds, beams, and slabs all together carry over 20 tons of steel reinforcements.   DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES Structural Design and Supervision…

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NAMPORT Conditions Survey

NAMPORT Conditions Survey

The Namibian Ports Authority (NAMPORT) has launched a 5-year project to record all their infrastructure on a system assisting with port maintenance and planning. Lithon Project Consultants was appointed to lead the project. A selected team of inspectors and assistants are traveling to all NAMPORT infrastructure to gather inventory and deterioration data to input into…

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Auas Road

Auas road

Lithon was appointed to provide services for the rehabilitation and widening of Auas Road transforming it to a two-lane, dual carriageway.   DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT Widening of existing Auas Road to two-lane dual carriageway capacity A portion from Hosea Kutako Drive up to Blackwood Street would need three lanes per direction as per the latest…

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NAMFISA Head Office

NAMFISA Head Office concepts

In mid-2024 the construction of a new multi-story building started. This was 10 year’s dream/vision from the NAMFISA team. The new 10-story structure will be an addition to the Windhoek skyline and the structure will take its place amongst the towering heights of Windhoek city center. As with any high rise, the construction of the…

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Kapps Hotel Luderitz Project

Kapps Hotel Luderitz

The project involved the upgrade of the heritage Kapps Hotel from an old single storey building into a modern multiple storey building with additional rooms, offices, a swimming pool, a restaurant and a sky bar. The structural elements include mostly reinforced concrete consisting of over 100 columns, more than 100 beams, 9 slabs at different…

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What the Watt? Flipping the switch on energy usage

What the Watt? Flipping the switch on energy usage

In a world where energy powers everything from our appliances and cars to office buildings and so much more, the need for a smarter and more sustainable way to generate and use power is a must. But how can we keep up with our power-hungry lifestyles without depleting our resources and harming the planet?  While…

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What Does a Transport Engineer Do?

Meet Valontino James, Structural Engineer

Whether it’s high-speed railway networks, a bridge over water, an airport runway, or simply a suburban street, we’ve all experienced and used one of these marvels of modern society. If you’re wondering who to thank for these, your smooth transition from one highway to another, or the delight of catching every green light, look no…

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Windhoek Rehoboth Road Upgrade to Free-Way Standard, Geotechnical Investigation

Windhoek Rehoboth Road Upgrade to Free-Way Standard, Geotechnical Investigation

Geotechnical investigation to evaluate the underlying founding conditions through testing pitting, core logging and laboratory testing of soil and rock samples to determine competent founding layers. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES Geotechnical consulting services, soil profiling, core logging, interpretation and evaluation of laboratory test results and investigating and proposing foundation types and depths.

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Redirection of Pumpstations Swakopmund, Geotechnical Investigation

Redirection of Pumpstations Swakopmund, Geotechnical Investigation

Geotechnical investigation to determine material consistency with depth and determine the depth of rock to inform the design team for design requirements, excitability and determination of quantities. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES Geotechnical consulting services, and dynamic cone penetration testing to determine the soil consistency with depth and determine the depth of rock bed.

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Meet Cilliers Steyn, Graduate Civil Engineer

Meet Cilliers Steyn, Graduate Civil Engineer

Cilliers Steyn was introduced to Lithon in 2015, when he completed a year of in-service training with the company while studying civil engineering. The encounter was a win-win – Lithon found a young engineer passionate about his chosen field, while Cilliers found a company with a culture that spoke to his heart and a team…

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The rise of the aerotropolis

The rise of the aerotropolis

Dr John D. Kasarda tells us that “airports will shape business location and urban development in the 21st century as much as highways did in the 20th century, railroads in the 19th and seaports in the 18th.” If you haven’t come across the term aerotropolis before, this is what is meant by it.  The aerotropolis…

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Towards a renewable future

Towards a renewable future

Harnessing the power of renewable resources like wind, sunlight and rain may not be a new concept, but it is one that’s becoming increasingly critical to the survival of our planet. As a key enabler of sustainable development, renewable energy is highlighted in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims to “ensure access to…

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A favourite project: the Husab Mine Access Road

A favourite project: the Husab Mine Access Road

When our Husab Mine Access Road project was completed in June 2014, it boasted the longest bridge to be constructed since Namibia’s independence and was recognised for how it handled an environmentally sensitive area. But this infrastructure project is notable at Lithon Namibia for another reason – and is an all-time favourite of CEO Gert…

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Meet Bartle Rautenbach, Engineering Technician

Meet Bartle Rautenbach, Engineering Technician

Bartle Rautenbach (affectionately referred to by his colleagues as Oom Bartle) was born in Usakos, a small town on the banks of the Khan River in the Erongo Region. He joined the Lithon office in Swakopmund (just 140 km away from his birthplace) in January 2009 at the peak of his career – one that…

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From the desk of Adriaan Grobler

From the desk of Adriaan Grobler

What is impact investing? Over the last decade, impact investing has been seen more regularly, by both business and public sectors, as a new asset class, capable of providing market related returns on investments. In fact, it’s recently become a megatrend in the investment world as impact investors seek financial returns while making a positive…

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Engineering for good: sustainable development projects changing lives

Engineering for good: sustainable development projects changing lives

In her foreword for the Engineering a Better World conference programme, Dame Ann Dowling, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, outlines the critical role that engineering must play as civilization moves ahead.  After calling attention to the breakthrough achievements of the engineering industry in the 20th century, she notes that, “we are far from…

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From the desk of Adriaan Grobler

From the desk of Adriaan Grobler

The impact and effectiveness of Development Finance Institutions Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) aim to bridge the investment gap between commercial investments and state development aid in developing countries. Given their public funding and developmental mission, DFIs tolerate more risk with their longer view on investments. They’re also not constrained the way private investors are. This…

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Meet Richard Laborn, Head of Civil and Transportation

Meet Richard Laborn, Head of Civil and Transportation

Coming from a family of Caterpillar mechanics, Richard bucked the trend by becoming an engineer. In his 30-year career, he’s worked on a number of large-scale projects, including the Tati Nickel Activox project in Botswana and the Sishen South Mine development in South Africa. With a wealth of expertise and three decades of on-the-job experience,…

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A closer look at civil engineering

A closer look at civil engineering

Civil engineering has been around for a very long time. It’s one of the oldest types of engineering (second only to military engineering), and it deals with the design and construction of infrastructure like roads, dams, bridges, and sewage systems. In fact, the construction of the pyramids of Giza, between 2550 and 2490 BC, could…

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Meet Amarildo Paulo, Oshakati Branch Manager

Meet Amarildo Paulo, Oshakati Branch Manager

Smart, confident and charismatic, Amarildo Paulo was introduced to Lithon in June 2009, when the company gave him a bursary to continue his civil engineering studies in Cape Town. More than a decade later, he’s still with the consulting engineering firm, managing its Oshakati branch remotely from Windhoek. We spent some time with him recently…

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From the desk of Adriaan Grobler

From the desk of Adriaan Grobler

Is development aid dead or alive? Development aid or Official Development Assistance (ODA) is defined by the OECD as “government aid that promotes and specifically targets the economic development and welfare of developing countries”. It’s supposed to help developing countries grow economically and uplift communities. But over the past 30 years, the impact of development…

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PMS Visual Assessment and Budget Recommendations, Otjiwarongo

PMS Visual Assessment and Budget Recommendations, Otjiwarongo

Visual assessments of about 82 km of surfaced roads and 26 km of gravel roads around Otjiwarongo and compiling a 5-year maintenance budget with recommendations.  The visual assessments were done in accordance with the relevant PMS methodologies. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES Visual assessments and feedback on pavement conditions Cost estimates for the proposed rehabilitation and maintenance…

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Namcor Retail Fuel Station in Otavi

Namcor Retail Fuel Station in Otavi

Planning, design and construction supervision of the new fuel station, which included all forecourt components and a convenience store/shop. The engineering disciplines included Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical. New building services required were sewer, stormwater, fire protection, domestic water supply, bulk and domestic electrical supplies, stand-by generator, air-conditioning & ventilation, refrigeration, LPG, kitchen equipment, access…

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Namcor Retail Fuel Station in Mariental

Namcor Retail Fuel Station in Mariental

Planning, design and construction supervision of all engineering disciplines, i.e Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical for the pump and tank installation. The forecourt works included the steel canopy, underground fuel tanks, product lines, electrical and communication, dispensers, spill containment areas, oil separator, stormwater and 3 pump islands. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES Client liaison. Principle Agent. Coordination…

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Namcor Retail Fuel Station in Karasburg

Namcor Retail Fuel Station in Karasburg

Planning, design and construction supervision of the new fuel station, which included all forecourt components and a convenience store/shop. The engineering disciplines included Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical. New building services required were sewer, stormwater, fire protection, domestic water supply, bulk and domestic electrical supplies, stand-by generator, air-conditioning & ventilation, refrigeration, LPG, kitchen equipment, access…

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NamPower Rural Electrification Project – Shamukweni Locality

NamPower Rural Electrification Project – Shamukweni Locality

Lithon Project Consultants was appointed as engineers for NamPower’s Rural Electrification of Oshamukweni Locality in the Okongo area of Ohangwena Region. This project includes a 14km Medium Voltage line, four 33/0.4kV transformers and about 4 km Low Voltage electrical networks that supplies power to the required facilities. This project was executed at a total cost…

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VEN Pre/Post Installation Inspection

VEN Pre/Post Installation Inspection

As part of a larger effort to increase their energy efficiency, Vivo Energy Namibia has installed solar photo-voltaic (PV) power systems at a select group of Shell fuel stations. Following the initial success of solar power installation at these stations, and the continued drive to harness clean energy at all their fuel stations, the company…

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Meet Lynn Stephansen

Meet Lynn Stephansen

Lynn has spent most of her career in the consulting engineering industry. It’s here, she says, that she learned the value of teamwork – and came to realise that even small and seemingly insignificant components can make or break a project. After taking a career detour and spending four years as a professional event manager,…

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The Oshakati Open Market

The Oshakati Open Market

Oshakati is the capital city of Namibia’s Oshana region and is home to about 37,000 inhabitants. In 2008, Lithon Project Consultants (LPC) was appointed by the Town Council to work on the development of a new Oshakati Open Market to replace the existing market. According to Namibia’s NBC News, the project formed part of the…

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The growing significance of agricultural engineering

The growing significance of agricultural engineering

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term agricultural engineering? Tractors? Irrigation? Grain silos? While these form an important part of this highly specialised branch of engineering, there’s a lot more to it – especially when it comes to sustainability. Let’s take a look.   What is agricultural engineering? Agricultural…

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Meet Marsia

Meet Marsia

Meet Marsia   Marsia Reed is a woman with purpose. And hard work has never held her back from achieving her goals. Capetonian by birth, Marsia moved to Namibia in 1990 – the same year the country gained its independence. Today, through the Lithon Foundation, she is helping to bring love and hope to the…

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From the desk of Adriaan Grobler

From the desk of Adriaan Grobler

Harnessing impact investing to advance human wellbeing in Africa. “We can transform our anxiety into passion. Fear can become hope. The moment demands deep and unwavering commitment to transforming it all. The economy. The planet. The way we treat, see, and live with one another.” – Jessy Tolkan In his book Impact: Reshaping Capitalism to…

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The what, why and how of mechanical engineering

The what, why and how of mechanical engineering

Did you know that mechanical engineering is one of the oldest engineering disciplines? Or that aerospace engineering is one of its many branches? Or even that cruise control was invented by a blind mechanical engineer named Ralph Teetor? Mechanical engineering is a fascinating discipline with a multitude of real-world applications, but before we get ahead…

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Modern marvels of structural engineering

Modern marvels of structural engineering

Why do we feel confident taking lifts to the tops of tall buildings or driving through kilometres-long tunnels? Because structural engineers have made it safe for us to do so. These highly skilled professionals take architectural designs and ambitions and make them structurally possible. As the Institution of Structural Engineers explains, they “design the strength…

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Finding purpose through Lithon Staff Development Programme

Finding purpose through Lithon staff development programme

Lithon Project Consultants CEO, Gert Maritz, is incredibly excited about the expanding possibilities at the Namibian-based engineering consulting firm. Along with his raft of new responsibilities, he is deeply committed to overseeing and advancing the staff development plan he designed during his tenure as COO. Formally implemented over two years ago, the programme is based…

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Meet Fred Mudge

Meet Fred Mudge

Meet Fred Mudge   2021 has been a big year for structural engineer Fred Mudge. Not only does it mark his fourth year as a member of the Lithon team, but he’s also just married his university sweetheart. We chatted with him on his first day back from his honeymoon in Zanzibar to find out…

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Project Management at Lithon Project Consultants

Project management at Lithon project consultants

At Lithon, we’ve recognised the pivotal role project management plays in delivering well-executed and cost-effective projects. As part of our long-term strategic plan for the business, we established a dedicated Project Management Office (PMO) in early 2020, headed up by our COO, Scott Richards. Our goal? To not only develop an effective project management culture…

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9 fascinating facts about mining

9 fascinating facts about mining

Mining may not be something most of us think about, but this multi-billion dollar industry plays a fundamental role in our everyday lives – there are over 15 different mined minerals in the average car, for example, and it requires as many as 35 mined minerals to produce a television. Now that we’ve got you…

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Strategic Executive Changes at Lithon

Strategic Executive Changes at Lithon

For nearly 20 years, Lithon has been led by a dynamic team committed to making a positive and significant impact in people’s lives. In 2016 we developed a strategic plan for our next 30 years, and, as a result, we’re delighted to share some exciting changes to our executive team. Our vision is to grow…

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Lithon Project Consultants offers world-class multi-disciplinary consulting engineering

Lithon Project Consultants offers world-class multi-disciplinary consulting engineering

When Lithon founder and CEO Adriaan Grobler established the business in Oshakati, Namibia in 2002, it focused almost exclusively on project management and civil engineering. Today, LPC (Lithon Project Consultants) offers multi-disciplinary consulting engineering services within and beyond Namibia’s borders. Our highly qualified team leverages state-of-the-art technology and a wealth of expertise that includes project…

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