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.