Zoned chromites with high Mn-contents in the Fe-Ni-Cr-laterite ore deposits from the Edessa area in Northern Greece

Abstract

The mineralogy of the transported Fe-Ni-Cr-laterite ore bodies from the Edessa area in Northern Greece was studied. The special emphasis was on the textural features and chemistry of chromite. The chromite was residually inherited in laterites from weathered ultramafic rocks and it displays zonation. Three main zones were optically distinguished: an inner chromite zone, an intermediate ferritechromite zone and a magnetite rim. These three zones have distinct compositions. The major oxides MgO and Al2O3 decrease from the chromite core to the ferritechromite zone, while FeOt increases and Cr2O3 either increases or decreases. A characteristic chemical feature of the chromite is the very high Mn-content in the ferritechromite zone, up to 20%wt MnO. Chemical zonation has, however, been detected in optically unzoned chromite cores rimmed by magnetite. The zoning and the high Mn-content of the chromite is a result of serpentinization in the presence of Mn-rich fluids, following lateritic weathering and finally Alpine low-grade metamorphism.