** Shares of Australian miners .AXMM rise as much as 1.7%, hitting their highest level since October 31
** Sector tracks upbeat copper prices from the previous session, buoyed by hopes that the U.S. government shutdown will end soon MET/L
** AXMM on track for a second consecutive session of gains
** Mining giant BHP Group BHP.AX rises 0.3% while lithium miner Pilbara Minerals PLS.AX gains 3.8%
** AXMM up nearly 28% this year, including the day's move
(Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee in Bengaluru)
((Rajasik.Mukherjee@thomsonreuters.com))