** Shares of gold miners rise, tracking higher prices of bullion GOL/

** Spot gold XAU= up 3.6% to $4,536.29 per ounce

** Gold prices surged as investors stepped in to buy on dips following a pullback earlier in the week, while watching for signs of de‑escalation in the Middle East

** Top miners Newmont NEM.N rises 3.2% and Barrick Mining ABX.TO up 2.9%

** U.S.-listed shares of South African miners Gold Fields GFI.N climb 3.9%, AngloGold Shanti AU.N rise 3.6% and Harmony Gold HMY.N up ~3%

** Shares of Canadian miners Agnico Eagle Mines AEM.TO up 2.5% and Kinross Gold Corp K.TO rise ~3%

(Reporting by Varun Sahay in Bengaluru)

((Varun.sahay@thomsonreuters.com))