** Shares of ABx Group ABX.AX fall as much as 16.3% to A$0.082, their lowest level since October 23; stock last up 10.2%

** Marks its steepest fall since October 28

** Rare-earths explorer receives firm commitments to raise about A$6 million ($3.88 million) through placement

** Issue price of A$0.081 per share represents a discount of 17.3% to the stock's last close

** Proceeds will be used to advance its Deep Leads rare earth project in Tasmania and construct and commission the ALCORE pilot plant

** Stock is up 114.3% YTD, including the session's moves

($1 = 1.5470 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Anjali Singh in Bengaluru)

((anjali.singh2@thomsonreuters.com;))