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The Emma Bell deposit, Siskiyou Co., California: A possible low-grade source of chromite

January 1, 1983

The Emma Bell chromite deposit in Siskiyou County, California contains over 5 million tons of dunite averaging about 4 percent Cr2O3. Chromite is not evenly disseminated throughout the dunite, however. For the most part the deposit consists of many chromite-rich bands in sharp contact with, and separated by, common dunite containing 1 to 2 percent accessory chromite. Electron microprobe and petrographic analysis of accessory chromite shows that it is fine grained (average grain size 0.14 mm), generally lower in Cr2O3, and has a lower Cr/Fe ratio than segregated chromite. In addition, unusual patchy zoning is exhibited by some accessory chromite. These patchy zones are extremely rich in iron (>60 percent total iron oxide). The negative factors such as the fine-grained nature of the accessory chromite and high iron content compared to segregated chromite, could be overcome by the very large tonnage in the deposit.

Publication Year 1983
Title The Emma Bell deposit, Siskiyou Co., California: A possible low-grade source of chromite
DOI 10.3133/ofr83816
Authors B. R. Lipin, Nicholas Wetzel, S. M. Heinrich
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 83-816
Index ID ofr83816
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Eastern Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center