*

TSX ends up 0.6% at 21,970.11

*

Commodity-linked shares gain

*

Oil settles 2.8% higher

*

Gold and copper prices climb

(Updates at market close)

By Fergal Smith

March 13 (Reuters) - Canada's main index advanced on

Wednesday for a third straight day as higher commodity prices

boosted the shares of energy and metal mining companies.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index

ended up 139.09 points, or 0.6%, at 21,970.11, its

highest closing level since April 2022.

The materials group, which includes precious and base metals

miners and fertilizer companies, rose 3% as gold and copper

prices climbed.

The price of oil also rose, settling 2.8% higher at $79.22 a

barrel. That helped lift the energy sector to a 1.7% gain, while

technology added 0.8%.