** Australian coal miners drop as coal prices fall 3.5%; however, mining sub-index .AXMM gains 0.6%
** Top independent coal miner Whitehaven Coal WHC.AX sheds as much as 3.5% to A$6.550; marks biggest intraday pct loss since July 31
** Coronado Global Resources CRN.AX loses 1.5%; New Hope Corporation NHC.AX eases 0.7%
** South African coal miner Thungela TGAJ.J says geopolitical tensions, rising tariffs disrupting global supply chains and economic growth, affecting prices
(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)
((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))