Hurricane Helene Halts Quartz Mining in North Carolina, Disrupting Global Semiconductor Supply

The small town of Spruce Pine, crucial for high-purity quartz needed in semiconductor manufacturing, faces extensive damage and operational shutdowns.

Operations at Sibelco and The Quartz Corp in Spruce Pine have been suspended since September 26 due to severe flooding and infrastructure damage.
Spruce Pine produces the world's highest purity quartz, essential for making semiconductor wafers, solar panels, and other high-tech components.
Local residents and mine employees are facing significant displacement, power outages, and communication challenges, with many still unaccounted for.
Industry experts warn of potential price increases for electronics as manufacturers may need to source less pure and more expensive quartz alternatives.
Recovery efforts are hindered by damaged roads and railways, with estimates suggesting it could take weeks to restore basic services and months for full infrastructure repair.