Abstract

• The study of chromite deposits especially at Saisaquine worksite (Local name) is situated in the Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay Region. The ophiolite rock suite of this area belongs to the Tagaung- Myitkyina Belt of Upper Ayeyarwady Provincewhich extends from the study area (Saisaquine worksite) Tagaung in the south to Myitkyina area in the north. Lithologic mapping in the ultramafic complex is difficult because of later modifications induced by extensive serpentinization and thermal metamorphism. Podiform chromite ores are main mineralization and they are hosted in serpentinized dunite and harzburgite. Mineralizations style occurred as irregular pocket or lens-shaped and fracture filling. Subcordant to discordant nature of the ore bodies which respect to their enclosing rocks and mostly found as massive and granular aggergates ores. Texturally, clot and pull-apart can be observed under microscope. In the field podiform chromitites can be seen as diverse types: they are massive, banded and disseminated, spotted or antiorbicular and nodular types. Nodular structure is characteristically of podiform chromite deposits and also as Alpine-type ultramafic rocks and primary magmatic feature. Low TiO2 content indicates that the parental magma is a primitive Boninitic melt. The major objective of this paper is to review a chromite mineralization at Saisaquine worksite especially for major and minor elements by X-ray Analytical Microscope (XGT) method. Geochemically, MgO, major oxide content in chromitite ore is 9.32 to 29.8 in wt% by XRF chemical analysis and X-ray powder patterns are used for the identification of chromite mineral species: magnesio chromite is attempted. Due to sporadic podiform chromitedeposits of Saisaquine worksite area is a favourable for medium-scale mining operation.