** Golden Deeps GED.AX jumps 7.7% to A$0.021; set for biggest intraday pct gain since January 3

** Mineral explorer buys 80% stake in Central Otavi critical metals project in Namibia

** Says acquisition will increase co's holdings to more than 440 sq km in the Otavi Mountain Land Metallogenic Belt, which hosts major deposits

** About 431,420 shares traded, 2x the 30-day avg

** GED sheds 16% YTD

(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru)

((JasmeenAraIslam.Shaikh@thomsonreuters.com;))