** Shares of mineral explorer Mamba Exploration M24.AX
climb as much as 59.1% to A$0.175, set for their best day ever,
if gains hold
** Co enters option agreement to purchase 100% of rare earth
exploration rights over 4 exploration licences in Hyden, Western
Australia
** Says it has lodged 5 additional exploration licence
applications, bringing the project area to over 1,300 sq km
** Says the project hosts high-grade clay total rare earth
oxide and high proportion of heavy rare earth oxides
** Shares hit their highest since Sept. 16
** More than 1.6 mln shares change hands, 16.6 times the
30-day average of 98,001 shares
** As of last close, stock down 45% this year
(Reporting by Himanshi Akhand in Bengaluru)
((Himanshi.Akhand@thomsonreuters.com;))