Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geological features and origin of the chromite deposits of sukinda valley, Orissa, India

  • Published:
Mineralium Deposita Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The chromiferous ultramafic rocks of Sukinda Valley (21°0'–21°5'N:85°43'–86°0'E) of Orissa are intrusive into the Iron-Ore Supergroup (2,950–3,200 Ma) at the eastern periphery of the Indian Precambrian shield. Both laterally and vertically, chromite occurs as persistent layers, lenses or pockets in the serpentinized and silicified dunite-peridotite extending over a strike length of 25 km. The ultramafic rocks and the chromitite layers are cofolded with the Iron-Ore Supergroup into a plunging syncline. Primary layering, ball and pillow structures, cross laminations, graded bedding etc. can also be detected. The different varieties of chromite ore present in the area are massive, banded and spotted, laminated and friable. The grain size of chromite varies between 0.25 and 4 mm, and the fineness of the grain increases from the bottom to the top layers. The cell dimension of chromite (8.23–8.32 Å) decreases with the increase of Al2O3.

Cr2O3 in pure chromite varies between 48 to 61 wt. percent, Al2O3 is 7.10–15.09 wt. percent, whereas Fe2O3 is very low (0.03–3.20 wt. percent). The amount of RO to R2O3 varies within a narrow limit of 0.98–1.13, indicating that the chromite is chemically balanced. The FeO to MgO ratio is intermediate between the stratiform and alpine type. Fe3+ and Al3+ increase with respect to Cr3+ and Mg2+ in the upper chromitite layers. TiO2 lacks significant correlation with the major element composition of chromite.

It is concluded that the Sukinda Valley chromitites of Orissa are predominantly stratiform in nature and were presumably formed in situ by crystal settling, the layering having been accentuated by the fluctuation of FO2. The geological features suggest a single magmatic cycle.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Banerjee, P.K.: Geology and geochemistry of the Sukinda ultramafic field, Cuttack district, Orissa. Mem. Geol. Survey of India 103:1–158 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Banerjee, P.K.: On some features of metallogeny in the Pre-Cambrian rocks of Orissa. Symp. on Metallogeny of the Pre-Cambrian, I.G.C.P. Project — 91, Bangalore, 24–26th August, 37–44 (1982)

  • Beeson, M.H., Jackson, E.D.: Chemical composition of altered chromites from the Stillwater complex, Montana. Amer. Mineral. 54:1084–1100 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bichan, R.: Chromite seams in the Hartley complex of the Great Dyke of Rhodesia. Econ. Geol. Mono. 4:95–153 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, E.N., Desborough, G.A.: Occurrence and characteristics of chromite deposits, — Eastern Bushveld complex. Econ. Geol. Mono. 4:23–40 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, K.L.: Geology and mineralogical characters of the Indian chromites. Econ. Geol. 60:1660–1668 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, K.L.: Some primary structures in the chromites of Orissa, India. Mineral. Deposita 7:280–284 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, K.L.: Some characters of the bedded chromite deposits of Kalrangi, Cuttack district, Orissa, India. Mineral. Deposita 8:73–80 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, K.L., Chakraborty, T.L.: Chromian amphibole from the chromite ores of Kathapal, Dhenkanal district, Orissa, India. Mineral. Mag. 39:725–727 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, K.L., Chakraborty, T.L.: Source and fixation of the nickeliferous limonite profile of Sukinda Valley, Orissa. Jr. Geol. Soc. Ind. 17:186–193 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, K.L.: Mineralogical note on the chrome-chlorite (Kammererite) and chrome-garnet (Uvarovite) from the chromite deposits of Kalrangi, Orissa, India. Mineral. Mag. 36:962–965 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, K.L., Baidya, T.: Geological setting and mineralogy of the chromite and some associated minerals of Kathapal, Dhenkanal district, Orissa. Jr. Geol. Soc. Ind. 19:303–309 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, K.L., Chakraborty, T.L., Majumder, T.: Stratigraphy and structure of the Precambrian banded iron formation and chromite-bearing ultramafic rocks of Sukinda Valley, Orissa. Jr. Geol. Soc. Ind. 21:398–404 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chatterjee, P.K., Banerjee, P.K.: The early kinematic chromite deposits of Orissa, India and their bearing on the classification of chromite deposits. Proc. Int. Geol. Cong. 22nd Session (New Delhi), pt. V, 76–86 (1964)

  • Clark, G.L., Alley, A.: X-ray examination of chrome ores. Am. Mineralogist 17:66 (1932)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dasgupta, S.: Chromite deposits near Sukinda, Cuttack district, Orissa. Qt. Jr. Geol. Min. Met. Soc. Ind. 31:227–232 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Deekshitulu, M.N., Perraju, P: Chromite deposits of Maruabil, Dhenkanal district, Orissa. Proc. 42nd Ind. Sci. Cong., 207–208 (Abstract) (1955)

  • Dickey, J.S. (Jr.): A hypothesis of origin for podiform chromite deposits. In: Chromium. Its physico-chemical behaviour and petrological significance. T.N. Irvine, Ed., pp 1061–1074, Pergamon Press, 1976

  • Ghisler, M.: Pre-metamorphic folded chromite deposits of stratiform type in the early Pre-cambrian of West Greenland. Mineral. Deposita 5:223–236 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Golding, H.G., Baylis, P.: Altered chrome-ores from the Coolac Serpentine belt, New South Wales, Australia. Am. Mineralogist. 53:162–183 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grafenauer, S.: Genesis of chromite in Yugoslavian peridotite. In: Time and Strata-bound Ore Deposits, D.D. Klemm, H.J. Schneider, Ed., pp 327–351, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenbaum, D.: The chromitiferous rocks of the Troodos Ophiolite Complex, Cyprus. Econ. Geol. 72:1176–1194 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Irvine, T.N.: Chromian spinel as a petrogenetic indicator. Part I, Theory. Can. Jr. Earth Sci. 2:648–672 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Irvine, T.N.: Chromian spinel as a petrogenetic indicator, Part II, Petrological application. Can. Jr. Earth Sci. 4:1–103 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Irvine, T.N.: Origin of chromitite layers in the Muskox intrusion and other stratiform intrusions: A new interpretation. Geology 5:273–277 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Irvine, T.N., Smith, C.H.: The ultramafic rocks of the Muskox intrusion, NW. Territories, Canada. In: Ultramafic and Related Rocks, P.J. Willey Editor, John Wiley and Sons, N.Y., 38–49 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, E.D.: Primary textures and mineral association in the ultramafic zone of Stillwater Complex, Montana. U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 358, 1–106 (1961)

  • Jackson, E.D.: Primary features of stratiform chromite deposits. In: Methods of Prospecting for chromite. Proc. OECD Seminar on Modern Scientific Methods of Chromite Prospecting, 111–134 (1963)

  • Johnston, S.J.: Minerals for the chemical and allied industries. Chapman and Hall Ltd., London 1954

    Google Scholar 

  • Leblanc, M.: Chromite growth, dissolution and deformation from a morphological view point: SEM investigations. Mineral Deposita 15:201–210 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • MacGregor, I.D., Smith, C.H.: The use of chrome spinels in petrographic studies of ultramafic intrusions. Can. Mineralogist 7:403–412 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Malhotra, P.D., Prasad Rao, G.H.S.V.: Investigation on the chemical composition of Indian chromite. Rec. Geol. Surv. Ind. 93:215–248 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitra, S.: The chromite occurrence around Saruabil, Cuttack district, Orissa. Ind. Minerals 14:347–360 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitra, S.: “Metamorphic rims” in chromites from Sukinda, Orissa, India. N. Jb. Miner. Mh. 8:360–375 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitra, S.: Olivines from Sukinda ultramafites and the nature of the parental magma. N. Jb. Miner. Mh. 2:177–189 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, K.A.: Chrome-spinels from the Massif de Sud, Southern New Caledonia. Mineral. Mag. 39:326–339 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sahoo, R.K., Van der Kaaden, G.: Chemistry of the Sukinda chromites, Orissa, India and its petrogenetic significance. N. Jb. Miner. Mh. 11:484–494 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar, S.N., Saha, A.K.: The present status of the Precambrian stratigraphy, tectonics and geochronology of Singhbhum-Keonjhar-Mayurbhanj region, eastern India. Indian Jr. of Earth Sciences, S. Ray Volume, 37–66 (1977)

  • Sahu, B.K., Bagchi, T.C.: Chromite deposits of Saruabil area, Cuttack district, Orissa. East. Met. Rev. Independence Number, 1–10 (1959)

  • Sampson, E.: Chromite deposits. In: Ore Deposits as Related Structural features, W.H. New House, Ed., 110–125 (1942)

  • Snethlage, R., Von Gruenewaldt, G.: Oxygen fugacity and its bearing on the origin of chromitite layers in the Bushveld Complex. In: Time and Strata-bound Ore Deposits, D.D. Klemm, H.T. Schneider, Ed., pp 352–370. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York. Springer 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, R.T.: Composition of some chromites of the Western Hemiphere. Am. Mineralogist 29:1–34 (1944)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thayer, T.P.: Some critical differences between alpine type and stratiform peridotite-gabbro complexes. Int. Geol. Cong. XXI Session, Norden Pt. 13, Copenhagen, 247–259 (1960)

  • Thayer, T.P.: Principal features and origin of podiform chromite deposits and some observations on the Guleman-Soridag district, Turkey. Econ. Geol. 59:1497–1524 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thayer, T.P.: Chromite segregations as petrogenetic indicators. The Geological Survey of South Africa, Special Publication No. 1, Symposium on Bushveld Igneous Complex and other layered intrusions, 380–390 (1970)

  • Ulmer, G.C.: Experimental investigation of chromite spinels. Econ. Geol. Mono. 4:114–131 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences, Jadavpur University, Calcutta

    K. L. Chakraborty & T. L. Chakraborty

Authors
  1. K. L. Chakraborty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. L. Chakraborty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chakraborty, K.L., Chakraborty, T.L. Geological features and origin of the chromite deposits of sukinda valley, Orissa, India. Mineral. Deposita 19, 256–265 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204378

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204378

Keywords

Search

Navigation