Exhibit 99.1

                                                                    NEWS RELEASE

(CENTURY ALUMINUM LOGO)

CENTURY ANNOUNCES $250 MILLION PROPOSED PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF SENIOR NOTES

          MONTEREY, CA, AUGUST 3, 2004 - Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX)
announced today that it intends to sell, subject to market and other conditions,
$250 million of its senior notes due 2014 ("Notes") through a private placement
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended ("Securities Act"). The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of
Century.

          Century intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes,
together with proceeds from a previously announced private placement of $150
million of its 1.75% senior convertible notes due 2024, to purchase up to 100%
of its outstanding $325 million aggregate principal amount 11% senior
secured first mortgage notes that may be tendered pursuant to its earlier
announced tender offer and consent solicitation. The proceeds also will be used
for general corporate purposes, including to fund a portion of the costs related
to the ongoing expansion of the Company's Nordural facility and to repurchase or
redeem any untendered first mortgage notes. The sale of the Notes will be
conditioned upon Century's completion of the tender offer and consent
solicitation.

          The Notes will be sold in the United States to qualified institutional
buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United
States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes will not be
registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United
States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration
requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or
solicitation of an offer to buy such notes and is issued pursuant to Rule 135c
under the Securities Act.

         ABOUT CENTURY

         Century is a producer of primary aluminum with 615,000
metric-tons-per-year ("mtpy") of primary aluminum production capacity. Century
owns and operates a 244,000-mtpy primary aluminum reduction facility at
Hawesville, KY, a 170,000-mtpy facility in Ravenswood, WV and a 90,000-mtpy
facility in Grundartangi, Iceland. Century also owns a 49.67-percent interest in
a 222,000-mtpy facility in Mt. Holly, SC. Alcoa Inc. owns the remainder and is
the operator of the facility. Century's corporate offices are located in
Monterey, CA.

         FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

         This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Century 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 Century'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 Century's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Century 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.

         CONTACT:

         Century Aluminum Company
         A.T. Posti, 831-642-9364