** Shares of Sipa Resources SRI.AX soar 18.2% to A$0.013, their biggest intraday percentage gain since December 23

** Stock hits its highest level since February 4

** Gold explorer says it has begun on-ground exploration at its Tunkillia North and Nuckulla Hill Projects in South Australia

** About 1.8 mln shares change hands, vs the 30-day average of around 645,000

** Stock up 8.3% this year, including the day's move

(Reporting by Aaditya Govind Rao in Bengaluru)

((Aaditya.govindrao@thomsonreuters.com;))