A study released…by the Center for Human Rights and Environment (CEDHA) reveals that the...mining copper project El Pachón, by Xstrata Copper in…San Juan Province on the border between Chile and Argentina (set for 2012), will destroy rock glaciers and periglacial environments. The evidence derives from Xstrata’s own impact assessments as well as from CEDHA’ s analysis of satellite images…The meltwater from these glaciers provide a steady flow of drinking and irrigation water to local communities…Downstream communities from El Pachón, such as Barreal, Pituil, Tamberias, Sorocoyense, Calingasta…should be on alert as the impacts to glaciers upstream can cause significant impact to the volume of water flowing through rivers fed by these glaciers.