** Shares of European Metals Holdings EMH.AX rise 18.2% to A$0.13

** Stock rose as much as 27.3% in early trade, its largest intraday gain since mid December

** Mineral explorer says its Cinovec battery metals project in Czech Republic receives 'strategic deposit' designation from the Czech government

** Says designation paves way for expedited approval process for permits and priority environmental impact assessment review, among others

** More than 204,000 shares change hands, 2.6 times the 30-day avg

** Stock down 21.2% YTD, including current session's moves

(Reporting by Nikita Maria Jino in Bengaluru)

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