Century Aluminum Company - Company Announcement (is)

- Century Icelandic Subsidiary Receives Positive Opinion on Helguvik Environmental Impact Assessment

MONTEREY, CA--(Marketwire - October 05, 2007) - Century Aluminum Company
(NASDAQ: CENX) announced today that Nordural, a wholly owned subsidiary,
received a positive opinion from the Icelandic Planning Agency on the
Environmental Impact Assessment for the company's proposed greenfield smelter
to be constructed near Helguvik, Iceland. 

The Planning Agency concluded that the construction of the aluminum smelter
would not have a significantly negative impact on the environment or
communities surrounding the proposed site near Helguvik. In addition, the
Planning Agency suggested to the municipalities that CO2 quotas be obtained and
the environmental status of related power plant and transmission lines be
considered, prior to the issuance of construction licenses. The company is
addressing these suggestions with the municipalities and appropriate
authorities and does not believe that this process will impact the timing of
the project. "This is an important milestone," said president and chief executive officer
Logan W. Kruger. "We appreciate the support and cooperation we have received
from the communities, energy companies and regulatory agencies. While much hard
work remains, we intend to begin preparing the site for construction by early
next year."

Century Aluminum Company owns primary aluminum facilities in the United States
and Iceland, as well as an interest in alumina and bauxite assets in the United
States and Jamaica. Century's corporate offices are located in Monterey,
California. 

Cautionary Statement 

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of U.S. federal securities laws. The company has based its forward-looking
statements on current expectations and projections about the future; however,
these statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, any of
which could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in its forward-looking statements. More information about these
risks, uncertainties and assumptions can be found in the risk factors and
forward-looking statements cautionary language contained in the company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings made with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The company does not undertake, and specifically
disclaims, any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect
the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after
the date such forward-looking statements are made. 

Contacts:
Mike Dildine (media)
831-642-9364

Shelly Lair (investors)
831-642-9357