Occurrence and petrological significance of loveringite in the Western Laouni layered complex, southern Hoggar, Algeria

Loveringite (Ca, REE) (Fe, Ti, Cr)//2//1O//3//8 is an accessory but not a rare mineral in layered complexes. It has been identified in the lower banded zone of the Western Laouni intrusive complex, southern Hoggar, Algeria. It occurs mainly in two distinct petrographic and geochemical settings, in olivine - chromite orthocumulates and in anorthosite adcumulates. In the lowermost orthocumulates, loveringite is closely associated with chrome spinel in the intercumulus spaces, where it coexists with Ti-rich pargasite, (Na, K)-phlogopite, magnesian ilmenite, rutile and magnesian pseudobrookite. It is richer in Ti and poorer in REE than previously known examples.