** Shares of mineral and silica sands producer Diatreme Resources DRX.AX surges 11.8% to A$0.019, on track for best intraday pct gain since March 14, if gains hold

** Australia grants Major Project Status tag to its Northern Silica Project in Queensland

** Tag allows strategically significant projects extra support and coordinated approvals

** Trading volume at about 644,242 shares, 1.4x 30-day average

** Stock down 13.6% YTD, including moves in current session

(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru)

((JasmeenAraIslam.Shaikh@thomsonreuters.com;))