** Australian miners .AXMM rise as much as 1.5% to 5,515.600, their strongest intraday pct gain since July 11

** Producers gain on back of stronger prices, while sub-index is led by BHP's BHP.AX 1.8% gain IRONORE/

** The world's largest listed miner posts annual copper production above 2 million metric tonnes for the first time ever, while reporting record iron ore output as well

** Peer Rio Tinto RIO.AX is up 1.1%, while smaller Fortescue FMG.AX up 1%

** AXMM up 5% YTD, vs benchmark S&P/ASX 200's .AXJO 6.7% rise

(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)

((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))