** Shares of WA1 Resources WA1.AX rise as much as 8.1% to
A$9.500, their highest since Dec. 11
** Stock posts its biggest intraday percentage gain since
Dec. 11
** Mineral explorer reports positive drilling results at its
West Arunta iron oxide-copper-gold project in Western Australia
** Says drilling confirms potential for large niobium
mineralisation
** More than 426,000 shares change hands, compared with the
30-day average volume of 399,342
** Stock had risen more than six times in value this year,
as of last close
(Reporting by Aaditya Govind Rao in Bengaluru)
((Aaditya.govindrao@thomsonreuters.com;))