** Shares of Australia's ABx Group ABX.AX fall as much as 9.1% to A$0.07, their biggest percent loss since August 11

** Rare-earths explorer says it receives firm commitments to raise A$3 million via placement at an issue price of A$0.064

** Placement at 20.3% discount to co's last close

** Says proceeds to be used to advance Deep Leads rare earths project in Tasmania and as working capital

** Around 2.8 mln share change hands, nearly 1.5x the 30-day average

** ABX last down 7.8%, paring YTD gains to 73.2%

(Reporting by Keshav Singh Chundawat in Bengaluru)

((Keshav.SinghChundawat@thomsonreuters.com ))