- Century Aluminum Iceland Subsidiary Initiates Site Preparation for Helguvik Greenfield Smelter


MONTEREY, CA--(Marketwire - March 14, 2008) - Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ:
CENX) announced today that Nordural Helguvik, a wholly owned subsidiary, has
started the initial site preparation for a 250,000 tonne greenfield primary
aluminum smelter to be constructed near Helguvik, Iceland. Consistent with
Nordural's approach for the company's 260,000 tonne Grundartangi smelter, this
new facility will be constructed in stages. The first stage of approximately
150,000 tonnes expected is to be online by late 2010. 

Work now underway at the Helguvik smelter site includes the construction of
access roads, fencing and a temporary project office. The company anticipates
that major construction work will begin in the near future. 

"Today marks a major milestone for Nordural," said Century's president and
chief executive officer Logan W. Kruger. "We believe that the community
guidance and support we have received for this project is quite unique. Our
staged approach to construction is designed to match power availability and
minimize the impact on the Icelandic economy. Similar to our expansion at
Grundartangi, the Helguvik project will rely on Iceland's world-class people,
resources and expertise. We wish to thank the Icelandic government agencies,
the local communities and Iceland's two major geothermal power producers --
Hitaveita Sudurnesja and Orkuveita Reykjavikur, for their continuing support
and cooperation." 

Century Aluminum Company owns primary aluminum capacity in the United States
and Iceland, as well as an ownership 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. 

Certified Advisors for the First North market of the OMX Nordic Exchange
Iceland hf. for Global Depositary Receipts in Iceland: 


--  Astridur Thordardottir, Senior Manager-Corporate Finance, Landsbanki
    Islands hf.
    
--  Olafur Finsen, Senior Legal Advisor-Corporate Finance, Landsbanki
    Islands hf.