A Court of Appeals trial began last Friday to determine who rightfully owns 8,600 hectares of land that Canadian mining company Barrick Gold bought from illiterate farmer Rodolfo Villar for 10,000 pesos (US$20).

The property forms a strategic part of the terrain acquired by the company for its controversial Pascua Lama gold mine project. If the Court rules against Barrick, the land loss could prove problematic for the project�s development.

The Court will rule on the issue after 30 days on trial.