** Shares of graphite and battery anode company Syrah Resources SYR.AX rise as much as 18.2% to A$0.260, their biggest intraday gain since Oct. 25

** Graphite producer Renascor Resources RNU.AX also rises as much as 6.6%

** Chinese Commerce Ministry directive on dual-use items requires stricter review of end-usage for graphite items shipped to the U.S.

** China also banned exports to the U.S. of critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony that have widespread military applications

** Renascor operates the Siviour battery anode materials project in South Australia, while Syrah has its flagship Balama graphite operations in Mozambique

** RNU down 53.1% and SYR down 65.2% YTD, respectively, as of last close

(Reporting by Himanshi Akhand in Bengaluru)

((Himanshi.Akhand@thomsonreuters.com;))