AI Semiconductor Supply Chain Disrupted by Hurricane Helene

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Hurricane Helene Destruction

If you didn’t know, Hurricane Helene passed through the Southeastern US leaving destruction in its wake. The damage stretches from Florida’s Gulf Coast to the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia. There’s severe damage in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. At least 120 people in six states were killed as of Monday (death toll expected to climb). Infrastructure has failed, roads have collapsed, roads have washed out, there’s limited power and cellular service, flooding, and in western North Carolina people are lining up for fresh water.

The Importance of Spruce Pine, North Carolina for Tech

I had no intention of writing about this today. 😄 I normally don’t do “news” type articles. I prefer more timeless topics and deep dives. However, it was so highly relevant to the subjects I talk about here that I wanted to touch on it. Spruce Pine, North Carolina is significant because it is home to Sibelco and The Quartz Corp. These companies produce high-quality quartz, which is an essential ingredient in chipmaking, fiber optic cables, and other high tech hardware. It’s the only naturally occurring source of the ultrapure mineral.

“The quartz mined from this area is used as a crucible to melt polysilicon, which is then used to produce silicon wafers — the base of a semiconductor.”¹

— Journalist Emma Roth

Quick Overview on Semiconductors

PWC