【Ferro-alloys.com】：Nasdaq-listed Century Aluminum Company has produced the first hot metal from its expanded Mt Holly plant, in Berkeley County, South Carolina.

The plant underwent a major expansion, which Century expects to reach full production by the end of June.

The plant is poised to increase total US primary aluminium production by 10% and has already created 125 permanent jobs in South Carolina.

The expansion project has solidified Century’s position as the largest producer of primary aluminium in the US.

Century also expects its groupwide production to increase following a partnership formed with Emirates Global Aluminium to build the first primary aluminium smelter in the US in nearly 50 years.

The smelter, which will be based in Oklahoma, will add another 750 000 t of primary aluminium production, doubling current US capacity.

It is expected to be the single-largest investment in the production of a critical metal in US history and will create more than 1 000 direct jobs and 4 000 construction jobs.

Century president and CEO Jesse Gary says President Donald 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 the US economy and national security,” Gary explains.

• [Editor:Alakay]