** Australian gold sub-index .AXGD rises as much as 2.6% to a record high of 10,261.60 points

** Gold prices broke through the key $2,900 level for the first time on Monday, driven by safe-haven demand GOL/

** Northern Star Resources NST.AX jumps as much as 3.5% to its all-time high and ASX-listed shares of Newmont NEM.AX rise 3.3%

** Evolution Mining EVN.AX climbs 3.7% to reach its highest level since November 2020

** De Grey Mining DEG.AX climbs up to 4.4% to hit its highest since early-April, 2008

** As of last close, AXGD up 18.8% YTD vs a ~4% gain in benchmark index .AXJO

(Reporting by Manasi Dasa Sundeep in Bengaluru)

((Manasi.DasaSundeep@thomsonreuters.com;))