China’s New High-Purity Quartz Sand Discovery Can Ease Dependence on the U.S. Where the Spruce Pine Deposit in North Carolina is the World’s Largest HPQ Source

      While quartz, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), is very common in rocks, high-purity quartz (HPQ) is rare. Most of China’s deposits are of low purity. Among ores, only crystal, vein quartz, metamorphic quartzite, and pegmatite deposits are of sufficient quality. The different purity grades of quartz and their markets from 2018 are shown below.

     Until now, most quartz ores in China have been inadequate in purity, running less than 70% pure. HPQ products are widely used in electronics, tele-communications, aerospace, military, and solar photovoltaic industries. Semiconductor and solar panels, in particular, require HPQ. Indeed, HPQ is considered a critical mineral. China’s geologists have been exploring for HPQ in the country for several years now, and it looks like they finally hit paydirt. The new find can be processed and purified to 99.995% purity, placing it between medium-grade and high-grade, according to the chart above, and making it worth between $500 and $5000 per ton in value. Another evaluation from 2020 shows an even higher value. Below that are some market projections showing that demand is expected to increase.

     Two mines in North Carolina in the Spruce Pine quartz deposit are currently producing up to 90% of the world’s supply of the highest-grade quartz. This was noted when Hurricane Helene ravaged the area in 2024. It has been described as the most valuable acreage on the planet. Other deposits have been discovered in Russia, Brazil, India, Norway, Australia, and, most recently, China. Nearly every electronic device likely contains silicon from Spruce Pine. The mines and processing facilities are owned by Sibelco. According to an article by Tech Spot:

“How did this unassuming North Carolina town gain such an outsized role in the global semiconductor supply chain? The answer is its unique mineral deposits, which formed 380 million years ago during the collision of Africa and North America. The intense heat and lack of water during their formation created quartz rock of unparalleled purity. These rocks are extracted from the ground and turned into quartz gravel, which is then processed into a fine sand. The silicon is separated from other minerals and then goes through a final milling. The final product is a powder that is shipped to refineries.”

     Solar grade sand (HP7) can be purified to 99.997% purity, and semiconductor grade sand can be purified to 99.999% purity. HPQ has high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, low thermal expansion, high insulation, and transparency.

     The recent discovery in China is two massive deposits totaling over 35 million tons. China imports 80% of its HPQ from the U.S., about $1.5 billion per year. The new discovery can also give China some leverage against the U.S. in the current trade conflicts. According to Global Times:

“The next steps will involve establishing an engineering and technology innovation center for high-purity quartz resource development and utilization, focusing on scientific and technological breakthroughs in ore-forming theory, exploration and evaluation techniques, as well as separation and purification technologies. A nationwide resource survey and evaluation will be coordinated, with key exploration projects deployed to determine the resource reserves of high-purity quartz and enhance domestic resource security.”

     

 

References:

 

China discovers 35 million tons of a forgotten strategic mineral: Beijing has formidable geopolitical and economic weapon. Callum Roche. AS. April 22, 2025. China discovers 35 million tons of a forgotten strategic mineral: Beijing has formidable geopolitical and economic weapon - AS USA

China discovers new mineral species vital for strategic emerging sectors like semiconductors, photovoltaics. Global Times. April 10, 2025. China discovers new mineral species vital for strategic emerging sectors like semiconductors, photovoltaics - Global Times

A Reflection on China’s high purity quartz industry and its strategic development. Junlan Zhou, Xiaoyong Yang. Material Science & Engineering International Journal. Special Issue – 2018. A Reflection on China’s high purity quartz industry and its strategic development

High Purity Quartz Ltd. Opportunity to invest in one of the few Ultra High Purity Quartz Sand producers in the World. August 2020. HPQ Presentation

Two mines in North Carolina are the world's only producer of the quartz necessary for semiconductor manufacturing. Erika Morphy. Tech Spot. March 24, 2024. Two mines in North Carolina are the world's only producer of the quartz necessary for semiconductor manufacturing | TechSpot