** Shares of Blackstone Minerals BSX.AX rise 10% to A$0.077, their highest level since December 11, 2023

** Mineral explorer says visible gold has been identified at Mankayan Copper Gold Project in the Philippines

** Stock on track for a fifth consecutive session of gains

** About 4.9 mln shares change hands, 2.2 times the 30-day average of 2.2 mln

** BSX up 167.9% YTD, including current session's moves

(Reporting by Manasi Dasa in Bengaluru)

((Manasi.DasaSundeep@thomsonreuters.com;))