Chromian spinel geochemistry as a petrogenetic indicator in the chromitites and peridotites of the Bajgan Complex, Western Makran

Economic chromite deposits are very common in ophiolite belts. These deposits usually occur in the uppermost horizons of the ophiolite mantle sequence or within the ultramafic cumulitic rocks at the base of the crustal sequence (González-Jiménez et al., 2014a; González-Jiménez et al., 2014b; Uysal et al., 2018; Arai, 2021). The largest chromite deposit in Iran lies within the Sorkhband Ultramafic Complex (Faryab chromite mine). In addition, numerous peridotite masses are exposed within the Bajgan Complex and the Colored-mélange Complex, as well as around Rudan, which are host for minor chromite deposits. In this study, chromite masses from different areas of the Bajgan Complex and the Colored-mélange Complex in western Makran were sampled and their field characteristics, petrography and chemical composition were studied. These data were applied to identify the nature of the rocks, the petrological changes and the tectono-magmatic setting as well.