** Shares of Australia's Meteoric Resources MEI.AX rise as much as 33.9% to A$1.88, their highest level since November 20

** Stock marks steepest intraday pct rise since April 15

** Rare earths explorer receives preliminary environmental licence for its Caldeira Rare Earth Ionic Clay Project, Minas Gerais, Brazil

** About 19.2 mln shares change hands, 2.2 times the 30-day avg

** Stock up 117.7% YTD, including the session's moves

(Reporting by Anjali Singh in Bengaluru)

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