Immediate Impact on Quartz Mining
forced Sibelco and The Quartz Corp in Spruce Pine, , to halt operations due to flooding, power outages, and infrastructure damage, starting September 26th.
The region received over two feet of rain, causing catastrophic damage and isolating the town, with photos revealing destroyed buildings and infrastructure.
Global Consequences and Recovery Efforts
Spruce Pine hosts the world's only source of high-purity quartz for semiconductor production, crucial for devices like smartphones and solar panels, making the supply chain highly vulnerable.
Recovery efforts are underway, but the mines' status remains uncertain. Sibelco and The Quartz Corp prioritize employee safety and are assessing the situation, with no clear timeline for reopening.