SPRUCE PINE, N.C. — One of the two companies that manufacture high-purity quartz in a western North Carolina community is up and running again.
Spruce Pine is a town of 2,200 residents. It's also the site of the world's highest quality quartz deposits, a major component of the tiny chips that power everything from smartphones to cars.
Sibelco announced Thursday that production and customer shipments have resumed at the Spruce Pine location. Sibelco and The Quartz Corp shut down operations ahead of Hurricane Helene's arrival.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Global tech industry threatened by Helene flooding
"Our thoughts are with all those affected by Hurricane Helene," Sibelco officials wrote in a release on Oct. 3. "We extend our gratitude to our employees, the first responders, and the construction crews who are working tirelessly on recovery activities in the region."
The Quartz Corp said last week it was too early to know when it would resume operations.
"For now, our focus is on reconstruction and support to our community in Mitchell County who has been so deeply hurt," The Quarts Corp officials wrote in a release on Oct. 2. "Our thoughts with the ones suffering."