April 24 (Reuters) - Canadian miner First Quantum

Minerals ( FQVLF ) said on Wednesday the likelihood of taking out

the 121,000 tonnes of copper from its disputed Cobre Panama mine

can only happen after the Panama national election.

First Quantum's Cobre Panama is under preservation and safe

maintenance after the current Panama government ordered the

closure of the copper mine last year.

Panama goes to polls in May this year.