Century Aluminum’s proposed USD 4 billion primary aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, is “moving forward on all fronts” as the company prepares for construction, despite local opposition and legal challenges, CEO Jesse Gary said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call.
Developed jointly by Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the project is designed to produce 750,000 tonnes of primary aluminum annually, potentially doubling U.S. primary aluminum production. The facility is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs and add USD 1.5 billion to Oklahoma’s gross domestic product, according to company estimates.
The partners had targeted construction to begin by the end of 2026. However, local restrictions and permitting challenges have affected the schedule. The latest project timeline places the start of civil works in the second quarter of 2027, with first hot metal expected between mid- and late 2030.
CEO Gary said, “We’re trying to address and answer questions as they come up, and keep the project on track and moving forward.” He added that financial discussions, power contract negotiations, and engineering plans were progressing. However, he did not provide a revised construction schedule during the call but said he expected to share details of Century Aluminum’s 2027 plans in February.
The project has faced opposition from local officials and community members over health and environmental concerns. In September, the Inola Town Council extended a moratorium on heavy industrial construction until April 7, 2027. A referendum is also planned for the same date, allowing residents to vote on a proposed ban on aluminum smelting in the town.
The Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority has also taken legal action over the project, while the Cherokee Nation has approved a resolution opposing the smelter, pending a full tribal council vote.
Century Aluminum has taken steps to address environmental and regulatory concerns. In September, the company submitted an updated environmental plan to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, committing to reduce permitted fluoride emissions by 37 percent. It has also started working with Tulsa Innovation Labs on workforce development for the project.