National-Scale Geochemical Baseline and Anomalies of Chromium in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is located at the convergence edge of Pacific Plate and Indo-Australian Plate, consisting three units. There are chromium mineralization types in PNG. Based on national-scale geochemical mapping PNG during 2015–2018, 1399 samples stream sediments were collected from Highland Region, Peninsula, Islands. This paper preliminarily studied chromium’s background, spatial distribution characteristics, anomalies. The concentration ranged 3 ppm to 74,600 ppm, with a median value 145 which was higher than upper crustal abundance baseline Europe, Australia, North America, China. In terms sediment different tectonic units, as mafic–ultramafic magmatic rocks widely developed, values Orogen, including Papuan Fold Belt, Thrust Finisterre Terrane, Aure Eastern Composite Melanesian Arc. ophiolitic complexes, such April ophiolite, Marum ultramafic belt, significantly correlated concentration. Eleven high anomalies potential delineated, laterite podiform prospecting areas eight placer areas. chromium–nickel integrated anomaly map, comprehensive exploration exploitation nickel can be carried out 1 11 related lateritic mineralization.