SANTIAGO, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Chile's environmental

regulator has filed three charges against miner Anglo American's

local unit over alleged violations at its El Soldado copper mine

in the Valparaiso region.

The Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) labeled the

charges as "serious," the second of three levels of offenses,

and said Anglo American Sur, the local arm of Anglo American,

faced the possible revocation of its environmental

permit, closure or a fine of more than 12 billion pesos ($12.40

million) if it did not address the issues.

Anglo American told Reuters that it has been working on

issues related to SMA's findings and has informed the agency

about its efforts. It added that it has requested a meeting with

environmental officials to determine how to proceed.

"We are committed to working continuously with the authority

to comply with all our environmental commitments," the company

said in a statement Monday.

El Soldado is the smallest copper mine controlled by Anglo

American in Chile, with 35,700 metric tons produced this year

between January and September.

According to the SMA, El Soldado has water issues due to a

drainage system that is not completely built, and Anglo American

did not inform the agency about related problems or develop a

maintenance plan.

The SMA also found that Anglo American failed to properly

mark and monitor a local population of 3,867 frogs from the

"Sapo rulo" species, native to Chile, that are classified as

"vulnerable."

The site was audited by officials from the SMA, as well as

Chile's water, geology and fishing agencies.

"As a result ... the Superintendency was able to verify

several violations of the project's environmental qualification

resolution," the SMA said in a statement.

Anglo American has 15 days to submit a compliance plan, and

22 days to present a defense.

($1 = 968.0200 Chilean pesos)