** Shares of Whitehaven Coal gain as much as 2.6% to A$6.650, their highest level since Sept. 3

** The Australian Coal producer receives approval for the Narrabri Stage 3 Project from the Federal Government after significant delays from lawsuits

** Co says the project is expected to extend life of the mine from 2031 to 2044

** WHC down ~12% YTD, including current session's moves

(Reporting by Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru)

((Tanishk.Kumar@thomsonreuters.com;))