Mineralogy and PGE geochemistry of chromitites and peridotites of the sapat complex in the indus suture zone, northern Pakistan: implications for magmatic processes in the supra-subduction zone

The Sapat Complex in Northern Pakistan contains remnants of the northern Neo-Tethys Ocean, presently exposed along the Indus Suture Zone. The mantle peridotites of the Sapat Complex include harzburgites, dunites, and subordinate lherzolites. Harzburgites are the dominant peridotite variety over dunites. The dunites are hosted by harzburgites and occur exclusively as ‘envelopes’ surrounding chromitite pods. The podiform chromitites show disseminated, banded, and massive textures. Chromitites exhibit variable Cr# [Cr/(Cr + Al)] and Mg# [Mg/(Mg + Fe2+)], which range from 0.76 to 0.77, and from 0.64 to 0.66, respectively, while TiO2 contents are