** Shares of Australia's Hammer Metals Ltd HMX.AX rise 14.29% to A$0.032, set for their best session since April 24 if trend holds
** Rose as much as 17.88% to A$0.033, touching its highest level since June 19
** Copper-gold miner expands the Yandal gold project in Western Australia
** Secures gold exploration tenure over areas not previously tested for gold
** Around 776,600 shares change hands, compared with the 30-day average volume of about 567,600
** YTD, stock is down 9% including session gains
(Reporting by Shruti Agarwal in Bengaluru)
((Shruti.Agarwal@thomsonreuters.com))