Century Aluminum plans Oklahoma smelter, restores Mount Holly production

Century Aluminum announced plans for a new smelter in Oklahoma, which aims to double total U.S. primary aluminum production and create 1,000 permanent jobs. The company also reported returning to full capacity at its primary smelters, completing major restart projects at Mount Holly, Grundartangi, and Jamalco. This return to full capacity led to a 33% sequential lift in total shipments and net sales of nearly $1 billion in the third quarter of 2026. Financing discussions for the Oklahoma project have advanced, with material terms largely agreed upon ahead of a final investment decision.

The completion of major restart projects allows Century Aluminum to pivot from heavy reinvestment to strong cash conversion, with capital expenditures returning to lower baseline levels. The proposed Oklahoma facility represents a significant domestic growth project that could substantially increase U.S. primary aluminum supply.