** Star Cement NSE:STARCEMENT rises as much as 3.6% to 286.56 rupees
** Stock set to gain for second straight month; up 15.7% so far in August
** Co's unit declared as preferred bidder for mining lease of Parewar limestone block in e-auctions conducted by Government of Rajasthan
** Co says block has area of 960 hectares with estimated limestone resource of 271.38 mln tonnes
** Stock rated "buy" on avg; median PT is 287.5 rupees, per data compiled by LSEG
** STAT last up 2.7%, taking YTD gains to 19.2%