** Shares of Australian lithium miners soars on the back of higher lithium prices

** Commodity prices jump after local officials in China halted production at mining giant Zangge Mining's 000408.SZ mine

** Mineral Resources MIN.AX gains as much 6.9% to A$29.660, hitting its highest level since Feb 18

** Liontown Resources LTR.AX rises as much as 10.71% to A$0.930, hitting highest level since Oct 29, 2024

** Pilbara Minerals PLS.AX gains 7.3% to A$1.69

** Broader mining sub-index .AXMM up about 2%, ASX200 benchmark index rises 1.4%

(Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee in Bengaluru)

((Rajasik.Mukherjee@thomsonreuters.com))