(Updates with details)
BEIJING, Aug 7 (Reuters) - China's coal imports rose to a seven-month high in July, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Wednesday, as heatwaves drove up power demand.
China imported 46.21 million metric tons of the fuel last month, the highest since December's record high of 47.3 million tons.
China has registered several rounds of record-breaking hot days in June and July, supporting power demand as consumers turn up their air conditioning to stay cool.
In response, to ensure a secure supply of energy, Shendong Coal, a subsidiary of miner CHN Energy Group, is making more capacity available at three mines and 11 coal preparation plants, state radio reported late on Tuesday.
For the January to July period, imports stood at 296 million tons, up 13.3% from the year ago period.
