** Shares of Australia's Winsome Resources WR1.AX rise as much as 16% to A$0.435, their highest level since February 12

** Mineral explorer Li-FT Power LIFT.V will acquire 100% of the issued securities of Winsome, the two companies said in a joint statement

** Co says Winsome shareholders will receive 0.107 Li-FT shares for each WR1 share, valuing Winsome at A$0.501 apiece

** Implied offer price represents a premium of 33.6% to Winsome's last close on Tuesday, after which the stock went on trading halt

** Winsome's Board unanimously recommends security holders vote in favour of transaction

** About 2.5 million shares change hands, 1.7x the 30-day average of 1.5

** Stock down 1.7%, YTD

(Reporting by Sneha Kumar in Bengaluru)

((Sneha.kumar@thomsonreuters.com;))