Spruce Pine, a small North Carolina town, is devastated after being hit by Hurricane Helene. Known for its essential role in producing the world’s semiconductors, the city is home to two mines that supply high-purity quartz, a vital material used to manufacture the silicon wafers needed for AI chips, smartphones, and data centres.
Hurricane Helene has blocked significant roadways, raising concerns about the impact on global supply chains that depend on Spruce Pine’s unique quartz resources. With more than 100 people dead across the US from the hurricane, the storm’s aftermath is expected to have long-lasting consequences.
The town’s two quartz mining sites, operated by Sibelco and Quartz Corp, provide essential material for producing semiconductors. The ultra-pure quartz extracted from these mines is critical in creating silicon wafers, which are crucial for advanced technologies, including AI chips.
The concern now lies in whether the hurricane has impacted these mines. While the companies have not yet confirmed any disruptions, local authorities have issued road closure alerts for the area, urging non-emergency travel to stop.
According to Ed Conway, a journalist and author who has studied supply chains of precious materials, Spruce Pine is a “pinch point” for global semiconductor production. “If we don’t have access to those mines for a long period, the global supply of these silicon wafers is under threat,” Conway warned.
The hurricane delivered over two feet of rain to the region, causing massive flooding and damaging infrastructure. According to a Facebook post from Mitchell County, where Spruce Pine is located, the storm resulted in a “catastrophic” loss of infrastructure, including washed-out roads and destroyed buildings.
Although it is not confirmed whether the mines were directly impacted, nearby roads remain inaccessible. “All roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed,” stated an alert on the local government’s traffic site. Quartz Corp has declined to comment on the hurricane’s direct impact but emphasised that the company’s focus remains on ensuring the safety of its employees.
The threat posed by the blocked access to these mines has raised alarms across the tech industry. Silicon wafers, produced from the high-purity quartz mined at Spruce Pine, are critical for producing semiconductors used in AI technology and smartphones. Without access to the North Carolina mines, the global supply of these essential components could be severely disrupted. While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, experts stress the importance of restoring access to Spruce Pine’s quartz mines to prevent any long-term impact on the global semiconductor supply chain.
