** Shares of Vertex Minerals fall 7.9% to A$0.175, their biggest intraday pct loss since late-September

** Stock hits its lowest level since Oct 2

** The gold explorer says it has received firm commitments to raise A$1.10 mln ($741,290) at an issue price of A$0.16 per share

** Issue price of A$0.16 per share is at a 15.8% discount as of last close of Oct. 4

** Co says it will also receive loan funding of A$0.98 mln under a convertible facility

** Says proceeds will be applied towards acquisition of an ore sorter, among other uses

** Co stock up 21.8% YTD, including current session's moves

($1 = 1.4839 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru)

((Tanishk.Kumar@thomsonreuters.com;))