** Shares of Lindian Resources rise as much as 8.2% to A$0.092, posting their biggest intraday pct gain since Nov 26

** Mineral explorer says Gerald Group to provide $50 mln in funding to help the development of the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi

** Says loan expected to be partially repaid through supply of monazite concentrate produced from the project

** About 1.3 mln shares change hands, 1.6x the 30-day avg

** Stock hits its highest level since Dec 10

** Stock down 37.9% this year, including current session move

(Reporting by Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru)

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