** Shares of Whitehaven Coal rise as much as 7.8% to A$6.920, hitting their highest level since Oct 18
** Stock set for best trading session since late August ** Australia's top independent coal miner posts 82% rise in Q1 managed ROM coal production to 9.7 mln metric tons
** Co beats market expectations of 9.1 mln tons
** WHC says FY25 forecast remains unchanged
** Stock down 13.7% YTD, as of last close
(Reporting by Shivangi Lahiri in Bengaluru) ((mailto:shivangi.lahiri@thomsonreuters.com))