A dispute over water rights has hit one of Chile's largest copper mines, Los Pelambres [parte de Grupo Luksic]. Locals say the mine's new dam is cutting off and potentially poisoning valuable water supplies. Supporters of the mine dispute the claim and point to the employment the operation brings to the north of Chile...It is just one in a series of cases where more and more Chileans are complaining that companies are damaging their environment. The El Mauro dam...has been built by the company Antofagasta Minerals [part of Antofagasta] at the top of an arid valley...The dam was approved in 2004, but farmers from the valley below have won a court appeal over water rights which are needed for the project to proceed. The case is now before the Supreme Court and most expect a verdict this year.