** Shares of Australian miners .AXMM rise as much as 1.6% to hit a record high

** The sub-index tracks copper prices, which gained as demand optimism outweighed concerns over stocks piling up MET/L

** Mining giant BHP Group BHP.AX rises as much as 0.5%, touching a record high while iron ore miner Rio Tinto RIO.AX gains more than 2%

** Gold prices rise after the U.S. and Israel launched major strikes on Iran, escalating geopolitical tensions and deepening global economic uncertainty GOL/

** AXMM up over 21% so far this year, eyes sixth consecutive session of gains

(Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee in Bengaluru)

((Rajasik.Mukherjee@thomsonreuters.com))