6 hours ago - Business

North Carolina quartz mining operation could land $56M in Chips Act funds

Zachery Eanes

an illustration of a mine pick axe surrounded by legal text, photos of government buildings and circles — Illustration: Tiffany Herring/Axios

Announced without much detail onstage by President Trump, more information is emerging on a federal investment in a quartz-mining operation in the North Carolina mountains.

Why it matters: Sibelco, which operates a quartz mine that is of great importance to the global tech industry in Spruce Pine, said Thursday it could land $56 million in Chips Act funding to advance its work in mining high-purity quartz.

Zoom in: Sibelco referred to the agreement as a letter of intent with the federal government, meaning it is not finalized.

But the money would be used to support the company's research into improving its quartz for use in critical semiconductors.
Sibelco did not comment on whether the money would lead to new jobs in Spruce Pine. The Belgium-based company is one of the largest employers in rural Mitchell County.

What they're saying: "This proposed award would enable us to accelerate our research and development activities in the United States and build on Sibelco's long-standing presence and expertise in North Carolina," Sibelco's CEO Hilmar Rode said in a statement.

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North Carolina quartz mining operation could land $56M in Chips Act funds

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