Century Aluminum expansion lifts US primary aluminium output by 10% as top officials mark Mt Holly milestone

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Century Aluminum has brought its Mt Holly aluminium smelter in South Carolina back to full capacity through an expansion expected to increase the country's primary aluminium production by approximately 10 per cent. According to the US Department of Commerce, Century Aluminum invested USD 50 million in the project.

The ceremony was attended by US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Senior Counselor to President Trump Dr Peter Navarro, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, US Senator Tim Scott, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Century Aluminum President and CEO Jesse Gary, underscoring the strategic importance of strengthening domestic aluminium production.

Expansion strengthens US aluminium supply

Century Aluminum said the expansion will increase the Mt Holly workforce to more than 600 employees and add about 50,000 tonnes of primary aluminium production annually. The smelter is already responsible for about 30 per cent of the nation’s aluminum production.

The company said the project was supported by the Section 232 aluminium tariffs introduced under the Trump administration to encourage domestic aluminium production and strengthen supply chains considered critical to national and economic security.

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Century Aluminum CEO Jesse Gary said, "We are grateful to President Trump and Secretary Lutnick for their strong leadership as we rebuild US aluminum production, which is critical for US national and economic security. This 10 per cent increase in domestic aluminum production is just the beginning."

South Carolina leaders also welcomed the project, describing it as an important investment in jobs, manufacturing and the production of metals considered vital to national security.

From production cuts to full capacity

The expansion marks a major turnaround for the Mt Holly smelter after years of operational challenges.

In 2015, the plant cut production by half and laid off about 300 workers following a dispute with state-owned utility Santee Cooper over electricity prices. Gary said the plant was also hit by a surge in aluminium imports from China and Canada.

In January 2017, the Obama administration filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization, alleging that China had illegally subsidised its aluminium industry, leading to overproduction. The complaint is still ongoing.

Five years later, Century Aluminum warned that the smelter could close, putting its remaining 295 employees at risk, citing high power costs and foreign competition. But the plant survived by making an agreement to increase its power supply, allowing production to recover to around three-quarters of its original capacity.

Then last year, Century Aluminum signed another agreement with Santee Cooper, paving the way for the smelter to return to full capacity.

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