TORONTO, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Barrick Gold ( GOLD ) stands

ready to be a partner on the Cobre Panama copper mine once the

Panamanian government decides on the disputed asset's future,

Mark Bristow, CEO of the gold and copper mining firm, said on

Monday.

The mine, owned by First Quantum Minerals ( FQVLF ), has been

under dispute since November last year when large public

protests led to its closure.

The new government led by President Jose Raul Mulino, who

took charge in July, has said the future of the mine - which

accounted for about 1% of global copper output and 5% of

Panama's GDP - will only be decided next year.

"At the end of the day it is the Panamanian government that

has to decide what it wants to do with this asset, and we of

course, stand available to be considered as a potential partner

sometime in the future," Bristow told Reuters at his offices in

Toronto.

First Quantum last year initiated proceedings against Panama

at the International Court of Arbitration in Florida seeking $20

billion over the shut-down of the mine.