Exploration of chromite in Wadi Kalbu area, Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

Chromite is classified as an oxide mineral composed of iron, chromium and oxygen with the chemical formula FeCr2O4. It has lots of industrial applications that makes it of great economic significance. The present study focuses on the exploration of chromite in the Wadi Kalbu area of Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman. Most of the chromite bodies in the ophiolite are located below the petrographic Moho, within the transition zone of mixed dunite and harzburgite near the top of the mantle sequence. The fieldwork was carried out for geological exploration at the Wadi Kalbu area. A number of Chromite ore bodies were observed during the exploration. Two samples were collected from the harzburgite (host rock) and other eight samples from the chromite bearing ore bodies. All samples were analyzed to know the chromite, iron oxide, silicon di oxide, aluminum oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide content, and Cr:Fe ratio. Field observation and chemical analysis clearly indicates that the Wadi Kalbu area has a good prospect for chromite exploration and mining based on their chromite content (23-42%).