Bulk Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Selected Alaskan Chromian Spinel Samples

摘要

As part of the Bureau of Mines critical and strategic minerals program in Alaska, 34 high-purity chromian spinel samples were analyzed for trace and major element geochemistry and mineralogy. The samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and chemical techniques. Systematic differences in chemistry are evident when samples collected from the Chugach Mountains and their related extension are compared with chromiam spinel samples collected from interior Alaska. The chemical and mineralogical differences between the two groups of samples can be attributed to different genetic histories and may have implications for locating chromian spinel deposits amenable to standard beneficiating techniques.