** Shares of Australia's Aureka Ltd AKA.AX rise as much as 3.7% to A$0.140, their highest since November 3

** Gold explorer says will completely exit its interest in Tandarra joint venture for a cash sale of A$1.3 million ($844,740)

** These funds, when received, will be applied towards continued diamond drilling and the permanent land access around Irvine Gold Project in Western Victoria - AKA

** Stock has risen 3.7% this year, including day's gains

($1 = 1.5389 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru)

((Roshan.Thomas@thomsonreuters.com;))