SANTIAGO, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Chile will stand by its claim for a large chunk of Antarctic territory despite Britain's bid to extend its rival claim in the continent, the Chilean government said on Thursday.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Britain's plan to claim an extra one million square kilometres (386,000 square miles) of Antarctica "will not effect the rights of our country over the said territory".

Britain outlined its plan on Wednesday, saying it would submit its bid to the United Nations.

The claim could spark disputes with both Chile and Argentina, both of which view large chunks of Antarctica as their own. Some areas of the continent are disputed by all three countries.

The claims come amid growing interest in the potential for mineral exploitation in both the North and South Poles.

All nations claiming a part of Antarctica must outline their case before the United Nations by May 13, 2009, in what some experts are describing as the last big carve-up of territory in history.

For now though, all such claims are theoretical because Antarctica is protected by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which prevents mineral exploitation of the continent except for scientific research.

Britain, Argentina and Chile are signatories of the treaty and in its statement the Chilean government reminded Britain that the document must be respected.

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