** Shares of Manuka Resources rise as much as 16.3% to A$0.050, their highest levels since late-May

** The mineral explorer says its unit's Taranaki VTM Project in New Zealand has been put on the government's "fast-track" list

** Co says the project will harvest iron sands containing iron ore, among others

** Stock posts its biggest intraday pct gain Sept 20

** Over 3.8 mln shares change hands, 4.4x the 30-day avg

** MKR stock down 40.3% YTD, including current session's moves

(Reporting by Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru)

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