April 1 - First Quantum Minerals' ( FQVLF ) shares rose by

as much as 3% on the Toronto Stock Exchange early on Tuesday

after the company said it had discontinued arbitration

proceedings against the Panama government.

The decision, announced on Monday, raises the prospect of

negotiations to resume production at the Cobre Panama copper

mine, which had contributed 1% of global copper production

until the government of Panama shut it down following

public protests in 2023.

The suspension of output impacted both Panama's and the

company's financial prospects.

The next steps in the dispute depend on the actions of

Panama's president.

The Panama government did not respond to queries from

Reuters.

In addition to First Quantum, at least five other companies

have filed arbitration cases against Panama over the closure of

the Cobre Panama mine.