Century Aluminum has initiated hot metal production at its expanded Mt. Holly facility in South Carolina, US.

This expansion, aimed at reaching full capacity by June 2026, is expected to boost US primary aluminium production by 10%.

The project has resulted in the creation of more than 125 jobs.

Additionally, Century, in collaboration with Emirates Global Aluminum, announced plans for a new primary aluminium smelter in Oklahoma.

This facility is expected to add 750,000t to the nation's aluminium production capacity, effectively doubling it.

The project represents a significant investment in US metal production and is set to generate more than 1,000 direct jobs and 4,000 jobs in construction.

Century Aluminum president and CEO Jesse Gary said: “We are so proud to be doing our part to increase domestic production of this critical mineral and expand on our position as the largest producer of primary aluminium in the US.

“President’s Trump’s Section 232 aluminium tariff is driving record investment in American aluminium production. The case for domestic production is stronger than ever, with supply chain disruptions abroad again demonstrating the need for a resilient domestic supply of this critical metal that is essential to US economic and national security.”

In March 2024, the US Department of Energy's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations selected Century Aluminum for negotiations to receive up to $500m in funding for a new aluminium smelter.

This financing was part of the Industrial Demonstrations Programme, provided under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

Century's Green Aluminum Smelter Project was one of 33 initiatives across more than 20 states to secure funding.