** Shares of Australia's Itech Minerals Ltd ITM.AX rise as
much as 4.4% to A$0.235, hitting highest since June 23
** Stock marks third consecutive session of gains
** Mineral exploration co says project funding of A$1.1
million ($733,480.00) approved for Sugarloaf Battery Anode
material project
** Adds iTech is developing process to produce battery anode
material from Sugarloaf Graphite Prospect
** Stock down 15.1% this year, as of last close
($1 = 1.4997 Australian dollars)
(Reporting by Nausheen Thusoo in Bengaluru)
((Nausheen.Thusoo@thomsonreuters.com;))