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.

The facilities named as The Quartz Corp and Sibelco, located in Spruce Pine, halted their operations prior to the incoming hurricane that destroyed several parts of West USA and portions of East Tennessee.

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.

Sibelco and The Quartz Corp both shut down operations in the Appalachian town of Spruce Pine on Thursday ahead of the storm that swept away whole communities.

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

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

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.