Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX) announced that production of the first hot metal has begun following the expansion project at its Mt. Holly, South Carolina plant. The company expects the expansion to reach full production by the end of June 2026.

The expansion will increase total U.S. primary aluminum production by 10% and has created over 125 jobs in South Carolina, according to the company's statement. Century describes itself as the largest producer of primary aluminum in the United States.

Century announced in January that it would partner with Emirates Global Aluminum to build a primary aluminum smelter in Oklahoma. The company states this would be the first primary aluminum smelter built in the U.S. in nearly 50 years. The Oklahoma facility is planned to produce 750,000 tonnes of primary aluminum annually, which Century says would double current U.S. capacity.

The Oklahoma project is expected to create over 1,000 direct jobs and 4,000 construction jobs, according to the company.

"President's Trump's Section 232 aluminum tariff is driving record investment in American aluminum production," said Jesse Gary, President and CEO of Century Aluminum. "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."

Century Aluminum operates primary aluminum smelting facilities in the United States and Iceland and is the majority owner of the Jamalco alumina refinery in Jamaica.