** Shares of Aurum Resources rise as much as 7.6% to A$0.355, their biggest intraday pct gain since Dec. 9

** Stock hits its highest level since Dec. 16

** Gold explorer announces maiden resource estimate of nearly 1.6 mln ounces of gold at Boundiali project

** About 990,000 shares traded vs 30-day avg of ~842,000

** Stock up 40% YTD, including session's move

(Reporting by Aaditya Govind Rao in Bengaluru)

((Aaditya.govindrao@thomsonreuters.com;))