** European Lithium's Australia-listed shares EUR.AX extend gains, rising as much as 4.4%

** Shares have gained nearly 9% over the past three sessions

** Rare earths miners have jumped this week as the U.S. launches critical minerals stockpile to counter China

** EUR also completes sale of 2.5 mln shares in Greenland partner Critical Metals CRML.O, with expected gross proceeds A$45 million ($31.47 million)

** EUR gained 51.6% in January

($1 = 1.4300 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)

((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))