‘Modern economy rests on single road’ in North Carolina where hurricane collapsed bridges

Impacts 2 mines 'that are the sole supplier of the quartz required to make the crucibles needed to refine silicon wafers'

Oct 1, 2024 - 11:28
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‘Modern economy rests on single road’ in North Carolina where hurricane collapsed bridges
Flood damage to North Carolina road from Hurricane Helene (video screenshot)
Flood damage to North Carolina road from Hurricane Helene (video screenshot)
Flood damage to North Carolina road from Hurricane Helene

(ZEROHEDGE) – In March, a Wharton professor who studies artificial intelligence and start-ups claimed on X, “The modern economy rests on a single road in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. The road runs to the two mines that are the sole supplier of the quartz required to make the crucibles needed to refine silicon wafers.”

Ethan Mollick noted at the time, “There are no alternative sources known” if supply disruptions were seen in Spruce Pines. Fast-forward to this past weekend across the Western North Carolina area, where a major disaster continues to unfold after tropical system Helene dumped torrential rains and unleashed devastating floods that pulverized entire towns, destroyed roads, highways, and bridges, and left tens of thousands without power.

As of Monday morning, Mollick’s worst fears could be realized as Google Traffic data shows road closures around the Sibelco mining facilities and across the entire region.

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Fibis I am just an average American. My teen years were in the late 70s and I participated in all that that decade offered. Started working young, too young. Then I joined the Army before I graduated High School. I spent 25 years in, mostly in Infantry units. Since then I've worked in information technology positions all at small family owned companies. At this rate I'll never be a tech millionaire. When I was young I rode horses as much as I could. I do believe I should have been a cowboy. I'm getting in the saddle again by taking riding lessons and see where it goes.