Mansfield suing Corriente over Argentine copper property

An ongoing dispute over a copper porphyry property in Argentina will land Mansfield Minerals (MDR-V) and Corriente Resources (CTQ-V) in a British Columbia court.

Mansfield is suing Corriente over its refusal to accept the Sept. 5 ruling of an Argentine mining judge that the title to the Cerro Samenta property in Salta province belongs to the former.

“Mansfield has occupied the property for two years and is the registered owner of the property,” according to a statement issued by the company. “The legal action against Corriente and two of its directors is for damages caused by statements made slandering Mansfield’s title to the mineral properties . .

. and defaming the business, trade and calling of Mansfield and its directors.”

Corriente staked 60,000 ha of claims near Cerro Samenta, and acquired an option to buy another 6,000 ha. The current dispute is over the location of those 6,000 ha.

Corriente responded to the suit by issuing a press release in which it called Mansfield’s action “without merit,” and said the argument should be settled in Argentina, not in Canada.

“This action is incapable of resolving the real issue, which is the location of the 6,000-ha block which Corriente has optioned,” the release says. “This location issue can only be resolved by an Argentine court.”

Mansfield’s partner, Teck (TEK-T), operates the property, and can acquire a half interest in Cerro Samenta by spending US$7.5 million and paying US$1.6 million over five years.