The timing of commencement of Plate Tectonics is a much disputed topic. My research has indicated that the Earth’s lithosphere is solid to the Outer Core. This makes it difficult for mobile belt/lava plume tectonics to operate. However, Block Tectonics, where the continents move as a block, in a glacier like manner, can still operate. Thus this earliest tectonism could be the start of Block Tectonics.
I have blended two diagrams from Goryachev 2020 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S1075701519060023 and Young 2013 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1342937X12002584#f0005 to estimate the commencement of tectonism At 2.9 – 2.6 Ga.
The estimate of robust, mineralising tectonism is about 2.9 to 2.6 Ga. The explanation of the interlinked reasoning is explained on the diagrams.
I will be giving two webinars on new paradigms for Earth Evolution (3rd November 2022) and the Evolution of, and Exploration Targeting for, mineralising systems (next year).
You can register at AusIMM website. For those who want to to think outside the box it will be well worth attending.
Background reading of my lectures on YouTube are at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNCLMIJcW7m_lAFfGF0PS9g/videos
Cheers
Bob