The UN's highest court said Thursday it would hold hearings from September 14 into a border dispute between Argentina and Uruguay.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said in a statement the public hearings would last until October 2.

Argentina filed an application with the court in May 2006, accusing Uruguay of having unilaterally authorised the construction of two paper mills on the River Uruguay that separates the two states.

Argentina claimed the mills would jeopardise "conservation of the environment of the river and of the areas affected by it," according to the statement.

In July 2006, the court dismissed a bid by Argentina for an interim order suspending construction.

In January 2007, it also rejected an application by Uruguay for an order to stop a blockade by Argentine environmentalists of a bridge across the river. The protesters cited concerns over pollution from the mill.