** Shares of Australia's Lightning Minerals L1M.AX rise as
much as 68.9% to A$0.125, on track for their best day, if gains
hold
** Stock at its highest level since Jan. 8
** Lithium miner signs binding agreement to acquire Bengal
Mining Pty Ltd
** Bengal Mining holds option agreements over two lithium
projects - Caraíbas & Sidrônio at Minas Gerais, Brazil
** 1.5 mln shares change hands, as of 0208 GMT, vs 30-day
average volume of 76,020 shares
** Stock down 47.1% YTD, as of last close
(Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru)
((Roshan.Thomas@thomsonreuters.com))