Hurricane Helene’s devastation has shut down a one-of-a-kind mine for AI chips
A mine in a small town in North Carolina that is essential to producing the world’s semiconductors has been temporarily closed after Hurricane Helene battered the area.
Spruce Pine is home to two mines that are a key source of high-purity quartz. This crucial material is used to make the chips that power everything from smartphones to data centers, with experts warning that any long-term damage risks disrupting global supply chains.
Sibelco, the owner of one of the mines, confirmed in an email to Business Insider that it halted operations as of September 26 due to the “significant impact” of Hurricane Helene.
“The hurricane has caused widespread flooding, power outages, communication disruptions, and damage to critical infrastructure in the area,” said a Sibelco spokesperson.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/quartz-mine-computer-chips-hurricane-helene-spruce-pine-semiconductor-2024-9