Operators of two key quartz mines near the storm-battered North Carolina town of Spruce Pine report they’re recovering but remain closed as the region digs out from a disaster that hammered the downtown and surrounding areas.
Treasured for the unique purity of their quartz that’s used in semiconductors and photovoltaic cells, the Sibelco and Quartz Corp. mine operations took a beating but survived Tropical Storm Helene and its aftermath.
“Thanks to Sibelco’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, which includes measures to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events such as Hurricane Helene, our operations have shown resilience,” Sibelco stated in a news release Thursday. “The initial assessment indicates that our operating facilities in the Spruce Pine region have only sustained minor damage.”
The company added that “detailed assessments are ongoing.”
