In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's devastation, Spruce Pine, North Carolina, is witnessing a vital recovery milestone as Sibelco restarts its high-purity quartz production. The firm, one of the two main suppliers of this essential resource for semiconductors, announced Thursday that their operations are gradually resuming and will soon reach full capacity. Hilmar Rode, Sibelco's CEO, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, "restarting our operations and resuming shipments to customers are important contributors to rebuilding the local economy."
The Quartz Corp., another key player in the quartz production industry, remains cautious about resuming its activities. Operational revival depends on the restoration of critical infrastructure damaged by the storm. Nevertheless, both companies have assured that their employees remain unharmed, marking a silver lining amidst Helene's destructive impact on Mitchell County.
Spruce Pine's quartz holds global importance, with 70% to 90% of the polysilicon crucibles worldwide being derived from this resource, according to author Vince Beiser. The quartz is not only integral to silicon chip manufacturing but also pivotal for producing solar panels and fiber-optic cables. Reflecting on the town's deep ties to the industry, a local council member noted that approximately 75% of Spruce Pine's residents are directly or indirectly linked to the mines. This industry recovery is poised to significantly affect both local communities and global technology manufacturing sectors. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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