BUZZ-Australia's Western Areas up after deal to buy nickel complex

** Nickel producer Western Areas Ltd shares rise 4.18 pct to their highest since June 15

** Company's subsidiary signs binding agreement with a unit of Glencore Plc (Xetra: A1JAGV - news) to acquire the Cosmos Nickel Complex (CNC) in Western Australia

** Western Areas will acquire CNC assets for A$24.5 mln in cash, which it says will provide an exploration upside and a potential second mining operations opportunity

** Company also expects many cost-saving opportunities in the near term

** As of Thursday's close, shares had fallen 4.3 pct so far this year

(Reuters Messaging: priyanka.shankar.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)