India's coal production fell just over 20% in July from the previous month, hitting a 10-month low, though output remained significantly above the depressed levels of a year earlier, preliminary data from the coal ministry showed.

Total coal output stood at 69.82 million tonnes in July, up 7.61% from 64.88 million tonnes a year earlier but down 20.01% from 87.28 million tonnes in June.

Coal India Ltd (CIL) produced 50.34 million tonnes in July, up 8.4% year on year but down 19.75% from the previous month. Singareni Collieries Co (SCCL) produced 4.17 million tonnes, down 0.71% year on year and 19.81% month on month. Output from captive and other mines totaled 15.30 million tonnes, up 7.44% year on year but down 20.93% from June.

Coal sales in July reached 86.91 million tonnes, up 18.11% year on year.

CIL sales totaled 63.92 million tonnes, up 17.86% year on year, while SCCL sold 4.79 mil