a method for increasing the chrome to iron ratio of a chromite product selected from the group consisting of ore and ore concentrate comprising the steps of mixing the chromite product with at least one salt so as to produce a mixture , whereby the concentration of salt in the mixture is selected to induce the selective chlorination of iron ; and chlorinating the mixture in the presence of co at a temperature sufficient to induce the formation of a thin film of a melt around the chromite product and at a temperature able to promote the selective chlorination of iron , whereby an iron impoverished chromite product is yielded having an increased chromite to iron ratio as compared to that of the chromite product .