** Shares of Australia's Western Gold Resources rise as much as 30.8% to A$0.034, posting their biggest intraday pct gain since Sept 25
** Stock at its highest level since Oct 7
** Gold explorer gets approval for mining proposal and mine closure plan for open pit mining operations at Gold Duke Project in Western Australia (WA)
** Stock has risen 3.1% this year, as of 0323 GMT
(Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru)
((Roshan.Thomas@thomsonreuters.com))