Distribution and prospecting potential of chromite resource in Africa

Chromium is a strategic mineral and one of major shortage minerals identified in China, its dependence on foreign countries is extremely high.More than half of the world's chromite resources are distributed in Africa, most of which are located in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Madagascar.The chromite deposits in Africa are mainly composed of two types, namely layered and podiform deposits.The former is concentrated in the Bushveld layered basic-ultrabasic complex in South Africa and the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe, and the latter is output in the greenstone belt in southern and north-central Africa.In this paper, according the factors such as metallogenic geological conditions,deposits distribution characteristics and situation of exploration, the authors identify four chromite resource prospecting potential areas in Africa.