** Shares of Hastings Technology Metals HAS.AX rise 12.9% to A$0.35

** Stock hits highest level since mid-July 2024

** The rare-earths developer to form a joint venture with Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest's Wyloo Metals for the Yangibana rare earths and niobium project in Western Australia

** Wyloo will own a 60% stake in the venture and manage and operate the project, while HAS's unit Yangibana Jubilee will hold the remaining stake

** About 1.9 million shares change hands, 19.8x the 30-day average volume

** Stock down 4.6% this year, as of last close

(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru)

((Sherin.Sunny@thomsonreuters.com;))