** Shares of Advance Metals rise 8.8% to A$0.037, their biggest intraday pct gain since Jan 6
** The base metals explorer says imminent maiden diamond drilling at Happy Valley Trend, following Serra Energy Metals's
high-grade gold findings at Myrtleford Gold Project at Victorian Goldfields
** Co took an 80% stake in Myrtleford, Beaufort Gold Projects via JV with SEEM
** Adds further mapping and rock chip sampling at the project to begin soon
** Around 3 mln shares change hands, 2.7x the 30-day avg
** Stock fell 38.5% in 2024, marking its fourth yearly loss
(Reporting by Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru)
((Tanishk.Kumar@thomsonreuters.com;))