** Shares of Blackstone Minerals BSX.AX rise 10.3% to A$0.032, their strongest gain since early October 2024

** Mineral explorer rose as much as 27.6% earlier in the day to hit highest level since September 30

** Co to acquire Mankayan copper-gold project in the Philippines under a deal with copper and gold explorer IDM International

** Under deal, co will acquire 100% of IDM in an all-share transaction

** Says project constitutes one of the largest high-grade undeveloped copper-gold porphyry systems globally

** Mankayan project offers investors a hedge against market volatility through significant exposure to precious metals - co

** About 5.6 mln shares change hand compared to 30-day average trading volume of 944,200 shares

** Stock up 3.6% this year as of last close

(Reporting by John Biju in Bengaluru)

((John.Biju@thomsonreuters.com;))