(News) Crystal mines hit by Hurricane Helen could disrupt semiconductor supply chain

The United States was recently hit by Hurricane Helen, which caused severe damage to the Southeast. Roads to two important quartz mines in North Carolina are currently inaccessible, raising concerns about the global semiconductor supply chain. National Public Radio (NPR) reports that if these mines were compromised, it could disrupt chip supply chains around the world.

Hurricane Helen, which made landfall last week, caused extensive damage in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, a critical source of high-purity quartz essential for semiconductor manufacturing, and claimed more than 100 lives across the United States. The town is home to two important quartz mines operated by Sibelco and Quartz and is considered important to global supply chains.

Local authorities were reported to have said the flooding was devastating and much of the area’s infrastructure was destroyed or severely damaged. NPR reports that while the mine itself is intact, the CSX railroad, the main route for transporting quartz out of the region, is severely damaged, further complicating logistics.

The ultra-high purity quartz extracted from these mines is irreplaceable as it is an essential material in the production of silicon wafers used in semiconductors. This type of quartz is used to make crucibles in which nearly pure silicon is melted. Experts emphasize that quartz mines in North Carolina are the main large-scale source of this high-purity material.

Russia and Brazil also supply quartz, but spruce pine has the highest quality and quantity in the world, said Ed Conway, author of “The Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization,” as quoted by NPR. It is said that it is producing. Without this pure quartz, most semiconductor manufacturing would be impossible because crucibles often cannot be reused.

Chipmakers are likely stockpiling quartz to cushion short-term supply disruptions, but even though the mine is on high ground, it could take weeks for the region’s infrastructure to recover.

Quartz is currently assessing the situation, but said it is too early to determine the full impact of the hurricane on production, according to the report.

Sibelco said in its latest statement: “We have confirmed the safety of most of our employees and are working diligently to reach those who are unreachable due to ongoing power outages and communication disruptions. As of September 26th, these In response to these challenges, we are temporarily suspending operations at our Spruce Pine facility.

Experts warn that companies are exploring synthetic alternatives to ultra-pure quartz, but none yet meet global demand. The effects of this disaster could reverberate across industries, highlighting the broader economic risks posed by climate-related events.

(Photo provided by Sibelco)