** Shares of Pilbara Minerals PLS.AX rise as much as 10.4% to A$1.49, their highest level since May 19

** Stock among top performers on the ASX 200 .AXJO benchmark

** Lithium miner reports increase in mineral resource at its Pilgangoora Operation in Western Australia’s Pilbara region

** Says there has been 10% increase in total mineral resource tonnage and 23% increase in contained lithium oxide

** Stock down 34.3% YTD

(Reporting by Sneha Kumar in Bengaluru)

((Sneha.kumar@thomsonreuters.com))