The site remained on fire on Thursday and the temperature inside the mine “could have reached 1,000 degrees” Celsius (over 1,600 Fahrenheit), according to rescue workers.
The stone, described as being of "4 Black Sawables 2 colour" quality with an octahedral shape, was extracted by the company's business unit, Aikhal Mining and Processing Division (MPD).
The mining equipment maker said business conditions continue to be tough mostly due to a slower-than-expected recovery in the global economy and weak commodity prices.