BUZZ-Australia's metal companies rise; copper, zinc soar in overnight trade

** Australia's metal companies rise, with the ASX 300 Metals & Mining Index gaining as much as 5.2 pct to its highest since Aug 17

** Dalian iron ore futures gain almost 4 pct to 382 yuan/tonne, highest since Aug 19

** Copper and zinc scored the biggest one-day gains in over two years in overnight trade

** Nickel posted the biggest gain in over a year in overnight trade

** Atlas Iron Ltd, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd and BHP Billiton Ltd among top percentage gainers

** Large-cap iron ore miners Fortescue, BHP Billiton (NYSE: BBL - news) and Rio Tinto Ltd rise as much as 11.2 pct, 6.1 pct and 5.06 pct, respectively

** Nickel producers Western Areas Ltd and Independence Group NL also among the biggest gainers on the ASX 300 Metals and Mining Index (Reuters Messaging: aparajita.saxena.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)