The study of molybdenites through the 187Re-187Os chronometer

We determined the Re and Os concentrations in 11 molybdenites of various ages (30-2700 m.y.) and from various areas. No 'common' osmium has been detected and Os was found to be purely radiogenic. Therefore, by comparing the concentrations, we were able to determine 187Re-187Os ages. For most samples these ages are in good agreement with those measured in surrounding rocks and probably correspond to the age of mineralization. However, two or three Re-Os ages seem unreliable being probably related to some rhenium leaching through later metamorphic and/or hydrothermal events: this shows that the petrographic characteristics of ores and the type of crystallization of MoS2 are important in choosing samples suitable for dating. Re and Os determinations combined with careful petrographic investigations may give important clues on the genesis and evolution of molybdenum ores. (orig.)