藏南马扎拉金-锑矿床:成矿流体性质和成矿物质来源

马扎拉金-锑矿床是藏南巨型金-锑成矿带的重要组成部分,其矿床成因目前仍存在不同认识.通过主要矿石和蚀变围岩的岩相学、矿相学、流体包裹体和稳定同位素分析,探讨了马扎拉金-锑矿床的成矿流体性质、矿质迁移和沉淀机制.结果表明,马扎拉金-锑矿床成矿流体主要来自岩浆水,主成矿期流体为中温(约255℃)、低盐度(2.8%~3.5%NaCleqv)、富CO2流体,成矿压力约150 MPa,流体演化过程中的CO2与水的不混溶是造成矿质沉淀的主要原因,成矿金属主要来源于地层,特别是区域广泛分布的海相火山岩地层.     

吉林东部地区与火山岩-斑岩有关的金(铜银)矿成矿地质特征及其成矿模式

吉林东部地区与火山岩-斑岩有关的金(铜银)矿床可分为浅成低温热液型金(银)矿和浅成中温斑岩。热液型金(铜)矿两个亚类。浅成低温热液型矿床的特征矿物组合为黄铁矿、石英、方解石、冰长石和重晶石,成因上与高钾的钙碱性火山岩。斑岩(137～177Ma)有关,成矿流体属浅成低温氧化流体,在成矿过程中大气降水混入的程度大。浅成中温斑岩,热液型矿床的特征矿物组合为黄铁矿、黄铜矿、磁黄铁矿和石英,成因上与钙碱性火山岩。斑岩(130～140Ma)有关,成矿流体属浅成中温还原流体,在成矿过程中大气降水混入的程度相对较小。由于火山岩,斑岩的来源深度不同,斑岩体在矿床的形成中所起的作用不同,成矿流体的性质不同,造成金矿床的类型不尽相同。     

Gold and antimony metallogenic relations and ore-forming process of Qinglong Sb(Au) deposit in Youjiang basin,SW China:Sulfide trace elements and sulfur isotopes

In the northwestern margin of the Youjiang basin(NWYB)in SW China,many Carlin-like gold deposits are highly antimony(Sb)-rich,and many vein-type Sb deposits contain much Au.These deposits have similar ages,host rocks,ore-forming temperatures,ore-related alterations and ore mineral assemblages,but the Au and Sb metallogenic relations and their ore-forming process remain enigmatic.Here we investigate the large Qinglong Sb deposit in the NWYB,which has extensive sub-economic Au mineralization,and present a new metallogenic model based on in-situ trace elements(EPMA and LA-ICP-MS)and sulfur isotopes(NanoSIMS and fs-LA-MC-ICPMS)of the ore sulfides.At Qinglong,economic Sb ores contain coarse-grained stibnite,jasperoid quartz and fluorite,whilst the sub-economic Au–Sb ores comprise dominantly veined quartz,arsenian pyrite and fine-grained stibnite.Three generations of ore-related pyrite(Py1,Py2 and Py3)and two generations of stibnite(Stb1 and Stb2)are identified based on their texture,chemistry,and sulfur isotopes.The pre-ore Py1 is characterized by the lower ore element(Au,As,Sb,Cu and Ag)contents(mostly below the LA-ICP-MS detection limit)and Co/Ni ratios(average 0.31)than the ore-stage pyrites(Py2 and Py3),implying a sedimentary/diagenetic origin.The Py2 and Py3 have elevated ore element abundance(maximum As=6500 ppm,Au=22 ppm,Sb=6300 ppm,Cu=951 ppm,Ag=77 ppm)and Co/Ni ratios(average 1.84),and have positive As vs.Au–Sb–Cu–Ag correlations.Early-ore Stb1 has lower As(0.12–0.30 wt.%)than late-ore Stb2(0.91–1.20 wt.%).These features show that the progressive As enrichment in ore sulfides is accompanied by increasing Au,Sb,Cu and Ag with the hydrothermal evolution,thereby making As a good proxy for Au.As-rich,As-poor and As-free zones are identified via NanoSIMS mapping of the Au-bearing pyrite.The As-rich zones in the Qinglong Au-bearing pyrites(Py2 and Py3)and ore stibnites(Stb1 and Stb2)have narrowδ³⁴SH₂S ranges(-8.9‰to +4.1‰,average-3.1‰)and-2.9‰to +6.9‰,average + 1.3‰),respectively,indicating that the Au-rich and Sb-rich fluids may have had the same sulfur source.Published in-situ sulfur isotopic data of pyrite As-rich zones from other Carlin-like Au deposits(Shuiyindong,Taipingdong,Nayang,Getang and Lianhuashan)in the NWYB have similar ore-fluidδSH₂S values(-4.5‰to +6.7‰,average-0.6‰)to those of Qinglong.Therefore,we infer that the sulfur of both Au and Sb mineralization was derived from the same magmatic-related source(0±5‰)in the NWYB.Moreover,the core of pyrites(Py1)has variable S isotope fractionation(-18.9‰to +18.1‰,mostly +3‰to +12‰),suggesting that the higher-³⁴S H₂S was produced by bacterial sulfate reduction(BSR).The hydrothermal pyrite(Py2 and Py3)δ³⁴S values gradually decrease with increasing As concentrations,and ultimately,within the restricted range(-5‰to +5‰)in As-rich zones.This variation implies that the As-rich pyrite was formed through ongoing interactions of the magmatic-hydrothermal fluid with pre-existing sedimentary pyrites,causing the progressive decreasing δ³⁴S values with As content increase,Hence,the fluid/mineral interaction may have generated the observed variation in δ³⁴S and As contents.Overall,comparing the Au and Sb deposits in the NWYB,we favor a magmatic-related source for the Au–Sb–As-rich fluids,but the Au-and Sb-ore fluids were likely evolved at separate stages in the ore-forming system.     

安徽月山矿田成矿流体的迁移速率和规模

安徽月山铜、金矿田成矿流体从深部向浅部沿断裂、裂隙以及多孔介质(含微裂隙)运移,运动速率分别为1.4m/s、9.8×10~(-1)～9.8×10~(-7)m/s、3.6×10~(-7)～4.6×10~(-7)m/s,流体运移通道介质性质的变化引起流体运移速率的变化是导致成矿物质在介质接触界面中沉淀的主要原因之一。成矿流体在高温时主要迁移方向向上,流体通量为n×10~4～n×10~5mol/cm~2,中低温时运移方向多样,大气降水介入岩浆热液体系导致流体通量增大,流体通量为n×10~5～n×10~6mol/cm~2;成矿流体中所携带的成矿物质具备形成大型铜矿床的潜力。     

藏南拉木由塔锑(金)矿床S、Pb同位素组成及指示意义

西藏拉木由塔锑(金)矿床位于藏南Sb - Au成矿带东段,矿(化)体主要赋存于中侏罗统遮拉组地层与辉绿(玢)岩脉接触带上.在分析该矿床成矿地质条件的基础上,系统研究了矿石硫、铅同位素组成特征,并通过与区域成矿带中典型矿床硫、铅同位素组成的对比分析,探讨了矿床成矿物质来源.研究表明矿石硫化物的硫同位素组成变化范围较窄,成...     

廖家坪地区花岗斑岩地质特征及其与钨锑金成矿的关系

廖家坪地区分布有较多的花岗班岩脉。它们受断裂构造控制，可分为北北东向和东西向两组，且前组岩脉形成时间早于后组岩脉。两组岩脉的地质特征、岩石化学特征及主要成矿元素等方面均有较大差别。北北东向组岩脉中Ｗ、Ｓｂ、Ａｕ含量普遍高于东西向组岩脉一至二个数量级，与区内钨、锑、金的成矿关系密切。     

Metallogenic mechanisms of super-large Cu and Au deposits in the Dexing region and simulating experiments

Based on the results of previous studies and under the direction of the theory of “ore deposit genesis”, the authors made use of high temperature and high pressure experimental facilities and conditions at the Tectono-geochemistry Research Room under the State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and put the focus on the multi-source of tectonically controlling ore-forming materials, the characteristics of multi-stage and multi-episode hydrothermal activities and mineralization and the characteristics of multi-genesis and multi-ore deposition so as to shed light on the metallogenic mechanisms of super-large Cu and Au deposits. In addition simulating experiments were made on multi-stage and multi-episode tectonic activities and rock and ore deformation, multi-stage and multi-episode tectonic activities and mobilization and migration of ore-forming materials, and multi-stage and multi-episode tectonic activities and superimposition and enrichment of ore-forming materials. The experimental results showed that under the action of multi-stage and multi-episode tectonic stress the deformation and fragmentation of not only rocks and ores have been intensified, and but also the ore-forming materials originally disbursed in the rocks and ores have been mobilized and migrated and superimposed and enriched. The experimental results also provided the scientific experimental data and grounds for deep-going research on the rules of metallogenesis and geneses of super-large ore deposits in the Dexing region, Jiangxi Province.     

Antimony in hydrothermal processes: solubility, conditions of transfer, and metal-bearing capacity of solutions

Based on data on the composition of ore-bearing hydrothermal solutions and parameters of ore-forming processes at various antimony and antimony-bearing deposits, which were obtained in studies of fluid inclusions in ore minerals, we investigated the behavior of Sb(III) in the system Sb–Cl–H₂S–H₂O describing the formation of these deposits.

We also performed thermodynamic modeling of native-antimony and stibnite dissolution in sulfide (m_HS⁻ = 0.0001−0.1) and chloride (m_Cl⁻ = 0.1−5) solutions and the joint dissolution of Sb_(s)⁰ and Sb₂S_3(s) in sulfide-chloride solution (m_HS⁻ = 0.01; m_Cl⁻ = 1) depending on Eh, pH, and temperature. All thermodynamic calculations were carried out using the Chiller computer program. Under the above conditions, stibnite precipitates in acid, weakly acid to neutral, and medium redox solutions, whereas native antimony precipitates before stibnite under more reducing conditions in neutral to alkaline solutions.

The metal-bearing capacity of hydrothermal solutions (200–250 °C) of different compositions and origins has been predicted. We have established that the highest capacity is specific for acid (pH = 2–3) high-chloride solutions poor in sulfide sulfur and alkaline (pH = 7–8) low-chloride low-sulfide solutions.     

矿床形成深度与深部成矿预测

阐述了不同类型内生矿床的成矿深度和金属沉淀的垂直范围。热液成矿作用的深度下限可以下降到10000～12000m。不同类型矿床的成矿深度范围与成矿时的具体地质构造特征有关,且有很大的变化空间。金属矿床的形成深度受成矿母岩岩浆侵位深度的约束,而岩浆侵位的深度又与岩浆中挥发组分的数量、流体释放的时间、成矿元素的矿物/熔体和溶液/熔体分配系数等因素有关。据此可以解释斑岩铜-(钼)、斑岩钼-(铜)和斑岩钨矿床形成深度的差异。地温梯度和多孔岩石的渗透率也与成矿深度有关。CO2等挥发组分的溶解度对压力非常敏感,因此流体包裹体地质压力计对于成矿深度的确定有重要的应用价值。在开展深部成矿预测和找矿时,探寻隐伏岩体顶上带或岩钟是寻找深部与花岗岩有关的多金属矿床的捷径之一。     

西天山中北段铜、金矿床成矿规律初探

西天山中北段地区铜、金矿产时空分布特征明显．时间上，具明显的区域性成矿特征，成矿作用集中在海西期；空间上，铜矿集中分布于赛里木微地块和伊犁晚古生代裂谷带内，金矿集中分布在裂谷带边部晚古生代中期陆相火山岩带和与板块俯冲作用相关的韧性剪切带上．铜、金成矿受含矿建造、岩浆活动和构造控制，据其成矿和分布特点划分出了5个铜矿集区和2个金矿集区，确定了3个主要成矿阶段的6种矿床共生组合，建立了区域成矿作用模式．     

矿床形成深度与深部成矿预测

摘要：阐述了不同类型内生矿床的成矿深度和金属沉淀的垂直范围。热液成矿作用的深度下限可以下降到10000～12000m。不同类型矿床的成矿深度范围与成矿时的具体地质构造特征有关,且有很大的变化空间。金属矿床的形成深度受成矿母岩岩浆侵位深度的约束,而岩浆侵位的深度又与岩浆中挥发组分的数量、流体释放的时间、成矿元素的矿物/熔体和溶液/熔体分配系数等因素有关。据此可以解释斑岩铜－（钼）、斑岩钼-(铜)和斑岩钨矿床形成深度的差异。地温梯度和多孔岩石的渗透率也与成矿深度有关。CO2等挥发组分的溶解度对压力非常敏感,因此流体包裹体地质压力计对于成矿深度的确定有重要的应用价值。在开展深部成矿预测和找矿时,探寻隐伏岩体顶上带或岩钟是寻找深部与花岗岩有关的多金属矿床的捷径之一。     

贵州开阳磷矿地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组地层层序及其As、Sb、Au、Ag丰度异常与赋存状态研究

贵州开阳磷矿地区出露较为完整的下寒武统黑色岩系层序,这套黑色岩系中富含多种金属元素,但目前对岩系中主要低温成矿元素As、Sb、Au、Ag的地球化学背景异常与分布规律了解极少,对其形成背景与赋存状态无法进行深入讨论。本文以开阳磷矿地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组黑色岩系剖面作为研究对象,通过详细的野外地质调查、系统采样并进行地球化学分析、全岩硫同位素分析及黄铁矿电子探针分析,划分了详细的牛蹄塘组地层层序,对主要低温成矿元素(As、Sb、Au、Ag)的丰度异常、富集特征及赋存状态进行了研究,结果表明,黑色岩系中普遍富集As、Sb、Ag三种主要低温成矿元素,Au也在大部分层位富集。四种元素具有层控性的特点,在牛蹄塘组下部有机质含量较高的黑色白云质粉砂质页岩和黑色页岩层位中具有较高的元素丰度异常,在泥岩和粉砂岩混合层位元素丰度异常较低,钙质成分含量较高的层位元素含量较低。黄铁矿是黑色页岩中金的主要赋存矿物,也是Sb的重要赋存矿物,同时是Ag和As的次要赋存矿物;不同类型的黄铁矿,元素富集规律也不相同:As、Ag更容易富集在不规则集合体和草莓状黄铁矿中,Sb和Au则在散布的单颗粒黄铁矿中富集系数最高。     

吉林省东部地区贵金属、有色金属矿床控矿因素及成矿物质来源

吉林省东部跨槽、台两大构造单元,形成了与这相应的构造样式、沉积建造和岩浆活动。产出的各种矿床受多种因素控制,成矿物质也具多源性。因此形成了不同矿种、不同成因类型、不同物质来源、受不同地质因素控制各具特点的多个成矿带。     

The Constraints on the Differential Enrichment of Au and As During Hydrothermal Mineralization,Southwest Guizhou,China

The differential enrichment of gold and arsenic observed in As-bearing hydrothermal gold deposits in Southwest Gizhou is induced by vapor-liquid separation in response to changing physico-chemical conditions during the hydrothermal evolution and is a reflection of the geochemical behavior of the two elements.     

内波、内潮汐沉积形成过程中内波传播方向与沉积物搬运方向相反的定量解释

本文从海洋物理学角度出发,以内波波动理论为基础,通过建立两个不同密度的水层界面上的两层模型的波动方程对内波的传播特征进行定量解释。通过定量解释表达式可知:内波在两个不同密度的水层界面上传播时,两层内波流之水平速度方向相反,保持通过海底的整个截面的流通量为零。在密度界面之下,波谷处内波流的运动方向与内波前进方向相反,由于波谷相对于波峰更接近于海底,即波谷处截面积较小,故波谷下方的流速较波峰下方的流速大,容易形成与内波前进方向相反的单向优势流动,这种单向优势流动搬运沉积物的总趋势与内波的前进方向相反。     

鄂尔多斯盆地砂岩型铀成矿中两种流体系统相互作用——地球化学证据和流体动力学模拟

鄂尔多斯盆地内的铀矿床多产在盆地的边部,并主要以侏罗系直罗组砂岩为主岩,铀矿体与从红色到绿-绿灰色、从氧化向还原过渡带中的热液蚀变密切相关。与铀矿化有关的后生矿物内流体包裹体研究曾得出60～180℃指示埋藏或热液环境的均一温度。铀矿化共生方解石和高岭石的C、H、O同位素组成研究表明,热液方解石的δ13CV-PDB为-14.0‰～2.7‰、铀成矿流体的δDV-SMOW和δ18OV-SMOW分别是-130‰～-94‰和-9.1‰～4.8‰,C和H同位素组成指示出大量C和H来自烃类的氧化。盆地内流体流动的数值模拟表明,在侏罗纪-白垩纪盆地边缘相对抬升和盆地内地层轻微变倾过程中,发育出2种流体流动系统,即渗出流和渗入流。渗出流系统受盆地上覆沉积压实作用产生的超压驱动,起源于盆地下部,从盆地中心下部流向盆地边缘浅部;渗入流系统受重力驱动,从盆地边缘向下流向盆地中心。笔者认为铀矿化的定位与这2种流体系统的混合过程密切相关,从侏罗系—白垩系渗滤出来的U6+被渗入的雨水流体搬运,当与渗出的富烃盆地流体相遇时,烃类将U6+还原为U4+,并在2种流体系统的过渡带铀矿物沉淀。2种流体系统间过渡带的位置受地形起伏大小控制。在白垩纪末...     

Sedimentary processes controlling ultralong cells of littoral transport: Placer formation and termination of the Orange sand highway in southern Angola

This study focuses on the causes, modalities and obstacles of sediment transfer in the longest cell of littoral sand drift documented on Earth so far. Sand derived from the Orange River is dragged by swell waves and persistent southerly winds to accumulate in four successive dunefields in coastal Namibia to Angola. All four dunefields are terminated by river valleys, where aeolian sand is flushed back to the ocean; and yet sediment transport continues at sea, tracing an 1800 km long submarine sand highway. Sand drift would extend northward to beyond the Congo if the shelf did not become progressively narrower in southern Angola, where drifting sand is funnelled towards oceanic depths via canyon heads connected to river mouths. Garnet–magnetite placers are widespread along this coastal stretch, indicating systematic loss of the low‐density feldspatho‐quartzose fraction to the deep ocean. More than half of Moçamedes Desert sand is derived from the Orange River, and the rest in similar proportions from the Cunene River and from the Swakop and other rivers draining the Damara Orogen in Namibia. The Orange fingerprint, characterized by basaltic rock fragments, clinopyroxene grains and bimodal zircon‐age spectra with peaks at ca 0·5 Ga and ca 1·0 Ga, is lost abruptly at Namibe, and beach sands further north have abundant feldspar, amphibole‐epidote suites and unimodal zircon‐age spectra with a peak at ca 2·0 Ga, documenting local provenance from Palaeoproterozoic basement. Along with this oblique‐rifted continental margin, beach placers are dominated by Fe–Ti–Cr oxides with more monazite than garnet and thus have a geochemical signature sharply different from beach placers found all the way along the Orange littoral cell. High‐resolution mineralogical studies allow us to trace sediment dispersal over distances of thousands of kilometres, providing essential information for the correct reconstruction of ‘source to sink’ relationships in hydrocarbon exploration and to predict the long‐term impact of man‐made infrastructures on coastal sediment budgets.     

我国锂铍钽矿床调查研究进展及相关问题简述

稀有金属是极重要的战略性矿产资源,尤其是高端装备制造业、新能源汽车等新兴产业的发展对其需要量的日益增加,带动了该领域找矿工作取得了一系列新进展。锂、铍、钽是当前最受关注的稀有金属,迄今,我国对于锂等稀有金属成矿机制的研究还不够深入且争论不断。在多年实践的基础上,该文对于锂矿的成矿机制提出了“多旋回深循环内外生一体化”的新认识,并以此拓展了“五层楼+地下室”的勘查模型,进而指导四川可尔因伟晶岩矿田、甲基卡矿田及湘鄂赣交界地区的幕阜山-九岭矿集区、中央造山带的秦巴山区等地在寻找伟晶岩型锂辉石矿床、花岗岩体型锂铍铌钽矿床及层控热液型铍矿床等方面取得新进展,指出了新方向,有助于打开稀有金属找矿的新局面。     

Geochronological framework and Pb, Sr isotope geochemistry of the Qingchengzi Pb–Zn–Ag–Au orefield, Northeastern China

The Qingchengzi orefield in northeastern China, is a concentration of several Pb–Zn, Ag, and Au ore deposits. A combination of geochronological and Pb, Sr isotopic investigations was conducted. Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb ages of 225.3 ± 1.8 Ma and 184.5 ± 1.6 Ma were obtained for the Xinling and Yaojiagou granites, respectively. By step-dissolution Rb–Sr dating, ages of 221 ± 12 Ma and 138.7 ± 4.1 Ma were obtained for the sphalerite of the Zhenzigou Zn–Pb deposit and pyrargyrite of the Ag ore in the Gaojiabaozi Ag deposit, respectively. Pb isotopic ratios of the Ag ore at Gaojiabaozi (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.38 to 18.53) are higher than those of the Pb–Zn ores (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 17.66 to 17.96; Chen et al. [Chen, J.F., Yu, G., Xue, C.J., Qian, H., He, J.F., Xing, Z., Zhang, X., 2005. Pb isotope geochemistry of lead, zinc, gold and silver deposit clustered region, Liaodong rift zone, northeastern China. Science in China Series D 48, 467–476.]). Triassic granites show low Pb isotopic ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 17.12 to 17.41, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.47 to 15.54, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 37.51 to 37.89) and metamorphic rocks of the Liaohe Group have high ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.20 to 24.28 and 18.32 to 20.06, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.69 to 16.44 and 15.66 to 15.98, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 37.29 to 38.61 and 38.69 to 40.00 for the marble of the Dashiqiao Formation and schist of the Gaixian Formation, respectively).Magmatic activities at Qingchengzi and in adjacent regions took place in three stages, and each contained several magmatic pulses: ca. 220 to 225 Ma and 211 to 216 Ma in the Triassic; 179 to 185 Ma, 163 to 168 Ma, 155 Ma and 149 Ma in the Jurassic, as well as ca. 140 to 130 Ma in the Early Cretaceous. The Triassic magmatism was part of the Triassic magmatic belt along the northern margin of the North China Craton produced in a post-collisional extensional setting, and granites in it formed by crustal melting induced by mantle magma. The Jurassic and Early Cretaceous magmatism was related to the lithospheric delamination in eastern China. The Triassic is the most important metallogenic stage at Qingchengzi. The Pb–Zn deposits, the Pb–Zn–Ag ore at Gaojiabaozi, and the gold deposits were all formed in this stage. They are temporally and spatially associated with the Triassic magmatic activity. Mineralization is very weak in the Jurassic. Ag ore at Gaojiabaozi was formed in the Early Cretaceous, which is suggested by the young Rb–Sr isochron age, field relations, and significantly different Pb isotopic ratios between the Pb–Zn–Ag and Ag ores. Pb isotopic compositions of the Pb–Zn ores suggest binary mixing for the source of the deposits. The magmatic end-member is the Triassic granites and the other metamorphic rocks of the Liaohe Group. Slightly different proportions of the two end-members, or an involvement of materials from hidden Cretaceous granites with slightly different Pb isotopic ratios, is postulated to interpret the difference of Pb isotopic compositions between the Pb–Zn–(Ag) and Ag ores. Sr isotopic ratios support this conclusion. At the western part of the Qingchengzi orefield, hydrothermal fluid driven by the heat provided by the now exposed Triassic granites deposited ore-forming materials in the low and middle horizons of the marbles of the Dashiqiao Formation near the intrusions to form mesothermal Zn–Pb deposits. In the eastern part, hydrothermal fluids associated with deep, hidden Triassic intrusions moved upward along a regional fault over a long distance and then deposited the ore-forming materials to form epithermal Au and Pb–Zn–Ag ores. Young magmatic activities are all represented by dykes across the entire orefield, suggesting that the corresponding main intrusion bodies are situated in the deep part of the crust. Among these, only intrusions with age of ca. 140 Ma might have released sufficient amounts of fluid to be responsible for the formation of the Ag ore at Gaojiabaozi.Our age results support previous conclusions that sphalerite can provide a reliable Rb–Sr age as long as the fluid inclusion phase is effectively separated from the “sulfide” phase. Our work suggests that the separation can be achieved by a step-resolution technique. Moreover, we suggest that pyrargyrite is a promising mineral for Rb–Sr isochron dating.