Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on two North Carolina facilities responsible for manufacturing high-purity quartz used in essential industries such as semiconductors, solar panels, and fiber-optic cables. Sibelco and The Quartz Corp, located in Spruce Pine, had no choice but to temporarily halt operations in anticipation of the storm. The town, renowned for its mines that yield some of the world’s finest quartz, witnessed the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene that ravaged entire communities in western North Carolina and neighboring East Tennessee. Sibelco, which had previously announced a $200 million investment to expand capacity in Spruce Pine, focused initially on confirming the safety and well-being of its employees amidst ongoing power outages and communication challenges. The company assured stakeholders of its active collaboration with government agencies and rescue operations to aid recovery and resume operations promptly. Similarly, The Quartz Corp emphasized that their immediate priority lies in safeguarding the health and welfare of their employees and their families. While the reopening of operations remains a secondary concern, their commitment to employee safety remains unwavering.
