** Shares of Galaxy Resources Ltd fall as much as 17.8 pct to A$1.520, their lowest since June 2017
** The lithium miner says it decided to formally close evaluation of joint venture opportunities for its Sal de Vida project in Argentina
** Co says was unable to find transaction which gives appropriate valuation to project which company expects; says prudent to refrain from any deal currently, due to current weakness in short-term contract prices for lithium chemicals
** Stock posts its biggest intraday pct fall since April, 2016
** Stock witnesses its busiest trading day since mid-Jan last year
** About 13.4 mln shares change hands, compared with 30-day average volume of 2.1 mln
** Stock has fallen 14.8 pct this year, as of last close, compared with a 10.8 pct increase in the benchmark index
