** Shares of Alkane Resources ALK.AX rise as much as 1.8% to A$1.70, their highest level since late-September 2011

** Gold miner says it will earn up to 80% of Nagambie's antimony-gold project by funding exploration and mine development, with spending capped at A$27.5 million ($19.34 million)

** Says deal leverages Alkane's nearby Costerfield mine, allowing ore from the Nagambie antimony-gold project to be processed using existing infrastructure

** Stock up 0.9% by 0110 GMT, on track for its second-straight day of gains

** ALK on track for 10-straight weeks of gains, having added over 4% in value so far this week

** Stock up 24.4% this year, including the day's move

($1 = 1.4221 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Roushni Nair in Bengaluru)

((Roushni.nair@thomsonreuters.com))