** Meteoric Resources NL MEI.AX rises as much as 2.9% to A$0.175, highest since July 8
** Bell Potter raises valuation to A$0.25/share from A$0.14 after co received consent last week to undertake ops for Caldeira Ionic Clay Rare Earth Project
** Upgrades to "speculative buy" from "speculative hold"; sees permit as de-risking event
** Believes project, co may get some attention from Western nations seeking to diversify China-dominant rare earth magnet supply chain
** About 11.7 million shares traded, 1.9x the 30-day avg
** YTD, MEI soars 100%
(Reporting by Anjali Singh in Bengaluru)
((anjali.singh2@thomsonreuters.com;))