Geology and Geochemistry of the Chromiferous Mineralization in the External Zone of the Pan-African Dahomeyides Belt, Northwestern Benin (Gulf of Guinea, West Africa)

Abstract

Occurrences of chromium mineral exist in Bénin within the external nappes of the Pan-African Dahomeyides belt. These chromite deposits are podiform types and hosted in the serpentinite. Blackish color, the chromite appears

under microscope in transmitted light, as cracked phenocrystals with

tangles of the serpentinite venules. Chemical analyses using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer showed the chromite ore consists of about 38% Cr

and total (Cr 2 O 3 + Al 2 O ) is 60%. This chromiferous mineralisation resulted from the magmatic cumulates formation by fractional crystallization of an ultramafic magma.