UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of
Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 17,
2008
Century
Aluminum Company
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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0-27918
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13-3070826
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(State
or other jurisdiction of Incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(IRS
Employer Identification No.)
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2511
Garden Road
Building
A, Suite 200
Monterey,
California
(Address
of principal executive offices)
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93940
(Zip
Code)
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(831)
642-9300
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(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
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N/A
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(Former
name or former address, if changed since last
report)
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Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
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o
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Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
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o
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Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
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o
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Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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o
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Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Item
8.01. Other Events.
On
December 17, 2008, Century Aluminum of West Virginia, Inc. (CAWV), an
independent operating subsidiary of Century Aluminum Company (the “Company”),
issued a conditional Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)
notice at its Ravenswood, West Virginia smelter related to a possible 100%
curtailment of plant operations in 60 days. This facility employs
approximately 684 persons. Simultaneously with the issuance of the
WARN, CAWV began the immediate curtailment of one of its four potlines which is
expected to be completed by December 20, 2008. The potline
curtailment will ultimately impact an estimated 120 employees, who will be
temporarily redeployed throughout the smelter.
Separations
from employment at the Ravenswood smelter could begin in approximately 60
days. However, CAWV intends to work during this 60 day notice period
with suppliers, customers, employees and government officials to explore avenues
for maintaining plant operations in some form. The Company cannot
predict what, if any, outcome will result from CAWV’s efforts during this 60 day
period and the effect of those efforts on the Company’s future financial
performance. The Company believes that the impact of the curtailment
of the single potline is not likely to have a material adverse effect on its
financial condition or results of operations.
The
Ravenswood smelter began operations in 1957 and produces approximately 170,000
metric tons of aluminum per year, or approximately 22 percent of the Company’s
annual primary aluminum production capacity.
A copy of
the Company’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated
herein by reference.
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. The Company’s corporate offices are
located in Monterey, California.
The press
release attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto contains "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 these risks and uncertainties could cause the
Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in its
forward-looking statements. More information about the Company’s
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, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q 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.
Item
9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
The
following exhibit is being furnished with this report pursuant to Item
8.01:
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Exhibit Number
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Description
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99.1
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Press
Release, dated December 17, 2008
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
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CENTURY
ALUMINUM COMPANY
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Date:
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December
17, 2008
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By:
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/s/
William J. Leatherberry
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Name:
William J. Leatherberry
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Title: Vice
President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant
Secretary
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Exhibit
Index
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Exhibit Number
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Description
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99.1
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Press
Release, dated December 17, 2008
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