** Shares of Austral Resources Australia AR1.AX rise as much as 15.8% to A$0.066, their highest level since November 5
** Copper cathode producer posts fourth quarter copper production of 2,643 metric tons, higher than its guidance of 2,610 tons
** Copper production for December exceeds 910 tons, its highest production since 2023
** About 9.9 million shares change hands, 2.2 times the 30-day avg
(Reporting by Anjali Singh in Bengaluru)
((anjali.singh2@thomsonreuters.com;))