Global Trade
April 20, 2026
Hot metal production begins at Mt. Holly
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
Production of the first hot metal has begun at Century Aluminum’s expansion project at Mt. Holly in South Carolina.
This project, which the Chicago-based producer expects to reach full production by the end of June, aims to increase total US primary aluminum production by 10%. The expansion has created more than 125 jobs, the company said.
In addition to the Mt. Holly expansion project, Century announced in January it would partner with Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) to build a primary aluminum smelter in Oklahoma.
The smelter project, known as Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, is expected to begin construction by the end of 2026, with production starting by the end of the decade. EGA holds a 60% stake and Century 40%. The smelter is expected to create another 750,000 tonnes of primary aluminum production, doubling current US capacity, according to the companies.
“We’re 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 aluminum in the United States,” Jesse Gary, president and CEO, said in a statement.
“President’s Trump’s Section 232 aluminum tariff is driving record investment in American aluminum 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 U.S. economic and national security,” he added.
