Kudumane Manganese Resources is a joint venture between two empowerment firms, Dirleton Minerals and Energy, and the Northern Cape Manganese Company. Hong Kong-based specialist manganese multinational Asia Minerals Limited (AML) is the technical partner in the project. KMR’s mine is located near Hotazel, 50 km outside Kuruman in the Northern Cape. The Kudumane Mine is the culmination of a process that started in 2006 when the Department of Minerals & Energy awarded two companies - Dirleton Minerals & Energy, and Northern Cape Manganese Co - joint prospecting rights to six farms in the Kalahari Manganese Field. Heading up Kudumane Manganese Mine is chief executive officer Sechaba Letaba, formerly a senior General Manager at Assmang’s Black Rock manganese mining operations in Kuruman.