** Shares of Antipa Minerals AZY.AX rise 3.2% to A$0.403, on track for strongest session since March 26

** Mineral exploration co says it will retain full ownership of the Paterson gold and copper project after a unit of IGO IGO.AX elected to withdraw from the 2020 farm-in agreement

** Withdrawal reconsolidates AZY's wholly owned Paterson province tenement package in Western Australia

** Stock up 54.8% YTD, including moves in current session

(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru)

((JasmeenAraIslam.Shaikh@thomsonreuters.com;))