Chromitites of the Main Saranovskoye field, Perm Territory: composition and genesis

Abstract

The chromitites mineral composition from the Central ore body of the Main Saranovskoye deposit has been studied. Development of chromite grains in silicate interstices; constancy of its composition, idiomorphism; increased chromium content of small and periphery of large chromite grains; absence of corrosion, substitution with chrome magnetite or chlorite; xenomorphic high chromium chromite; association with chromium-containing minerals and minerals of hydrothermal origin; joint growth of chromite with uvarovite; predominance of minerals with Na and H₂O in inclusions in chromite; inclusions of idiomorphic grains and chlorite laths, massicot crystals; the inclusion of laurite with a crystallographically faceted inclusion of chalcocite, chromite in the diabase skarn indicates that chromite was not a source of chromium for other minerals, but was formed together with hydrothermal minerals in the course of a single process. This is also evidenced by the composition of apatite: a high Y content and a negative Eu anomaly.