** Shares of gold miner DeSoto Resources rise 6.4% to hit highest level since Oct. 21

** Co says it signed a binding agreement with Tratex Mineracao to take a four-year option to acquire the Dom Silverio Manganese Project in Brazil

** Co to engage in exploration and development of the Manganese project, among others

** Trade vol at about 327,000 shares, highest since mid-Sept

** DES up 8.7% YTD as of 0324 GMT

(Reporting by Adwitiya Srivastava in Bengaluru)

((Adwitiya.Srivastava@thomsonreuters.com;))