Hurricane Helene disrupts critical chip mining operations in North Carolina

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Old Fort, North Carolina. | Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images 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 chip-making process — and it’s only found in Spruce Pine.
The two mining companies in the area, Sibelco and The Quartz Corp, confirmed that flooding, power outages, and employee displacement have led them to stop thei