The Sibelco mine in North Carolina is one of the most crucial sites to the global production of semiconductors.

The owner of a North Carolina quartz mine that’s a key source for high-purity quartz used in global semiconductor manufacturing said its operations sustained only minor damage in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Operations at a quartz mine in western North Carolina have been shut down for more than five days after Hurricane Helene dumped 2 feet of rain on the town of Spruce Pine, washing out roads and cutting power to an area with an industry critical to semiconductor manufacturing across the world.

Companies mining high-purity quartz in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, have paused operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The quartz is a critical component of the chipmaking process — and it’s only found in Spruce Pine.

Two North Carolina facilities that manufacture the high-purity quartz used for making semiconductors, solar panels and fiber optic cables have been shut down by Hurricane Helene.

Two facilities that produce high-purity quartz essential in semiconductors, solar panels, and fiber-optics have been shut down.

The quartz mines of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, part of the global computer chip supply chain, have suspended their operations due to the damage and aftermath of Hurricane Helene.