** Shares of Patriot Lithium rise as much as 21.6% to A$0.045, posting their largest intraday pct gain since Oct. 31, 2023

** Lithium explorer hits highest level since Aug. 23

** Co enters into binding option agreement with Array Metals and Natural Resources to acquire 80% interest in Katwaro copper project in Zambia

** Co to pay Array $25,000 and conduct due diligence for agreement

** More than 497,000 shares change hands, 2.8 times the 30-day avg

** Stock down ~76.8% so far this year, including current session's moves

(Reporting by Nikita Maria Jino in Bengaluru)

((Nikita.Jino@thomsonreuters.com;))