Century Aluminum (CENX) 10-Q 8 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CENTURY ALUMINUM CO	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000949157	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	88,682,931

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	$140,801		$183,976
Restricted cash	3,273		258
Accounts receivable — net	51,247		50,667
Due from affiliates	24,955		37,870
Inventories	231,505	[1]	159,925	[1]
Prepaid and other current assets	40,708		34,975
Deferred taxes - current portion	19,720		19,726
Total current assets	512,209		487,397
Property, plant and equipment — net	1,239,201		1,188,214
Other assets	108,221		100,715
TOTAL	1,859,631		1,776,326
LIABILITIES:	'		'
Accounts payable, trade	105,950		75,370
Due to affiliates	71,739		39,737
Accrued and other current liabilities	72,921		40,099
Accrued employee benefits costs	17,060		18,683
Industrial revenue bonds	7,815		7,815
Current portion of long-term debt	2,603		0
Total current liabilities	278,088		181,704
Senior notes payable	246,442		250,582
Revolving credit facility	16,725		0
Accrued pension benefits costs — less current portion	59,724		67,878
Accrued postretirement benefits costs — less current portion	144,025		143,105
Other liabilities	37,184		40,162
Deferred taxes	111,922		110,252
Total noncurrent liabilities	616,022		611,979
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 11)	'		'
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'		'
Series A Preferred stock (one cent par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 79,734 and 80,283 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	1		1
Common stock (one cent par value, 195,000,000 shares authorized; 93,469,452 issued and 88,682,931 outstanding at September 30, 2013; 93,335,158 issued and 88,548,637 outstanding at December 31, 2012)	935		933
Additional paid-in capital	2,508,456		2,507,454
Treasury stock, at cost	-49,924		-49,924
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-138,680		-151,192
Accumulated deficit	-1,355,267		-1,324,629
Total shareholders’ equity	965,521		982,643
TOTAL	$1,859,631		$1,776,326
[1]	The balance at September 30, 2013 includes inventory maintained at the recently acquired Sebree smelter. See Note 2 Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter for additional information about the Sebree acquisition.

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Series A Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Series A Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Series A Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	79,734	80,283
Series A Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	79,734	80,283
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	195,000,000	195,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	93,469,452	93,335,158
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	88,682,931	88,548,637

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
NET SALES:	'	'	'	'
Third-party customers	$271,016	$170,023	$680,480	$542,884
Related parties	128,912	134,612	372,659	411,560
Sales Revenue – net	399,928	304,635	1,053,139	954,444
Cost of goods sold	387,574	301,385	1,028,901	924,645
Gross profit	12,354	3,250	24,238	29,799
Other operating expenses – net	2,174	7,388	6,288	14,926
Selling, general and administrative expenses	14,422	9,182	45,875	24,792
Operating loss	-4,242	-13,320	-27,925	-9,919
Interest expense – third party	-5,406	-6,041	-17,706	-17,966
Interest income – third party	0	0	0	62
Interest income – related parties	141	72	458	324
Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts	440	-340	16,151	-4,049
Gain on bargain purchase	0	0	5,253	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	0	-3,272	0
Other income (expense) – net	213	7,648	-1,001	8,115
Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint ventures	-8,854	-11,981	-28,042	-23,433
Income tax expense	-1,384	-1,168	-4,714	-7,384
Loss before equity in earnings of joint ventures	-10,238	-13,149	-32,756	-30,817
Equity in earnings of joint ventures	731	1,126	2,118	2,116
Net loss	-9,507	-12,023	-30,638	-28,701
Net loss allocated to common shareholders	-9,507	-12,023	-30,638	-28,701
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE:	'	'	'	'
Basic and Diluted	($0.11)	($0.14)	($0.35)	($0.32)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:	'	'	'	'
Basic	88,611	88,468	88,588	88,549
Diluted	88,611	88,468	88,588	88,549
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	88,611	88,468	88,588	88,549
Net unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments	0	2	0	-218
Net loss reclassified to income on financial instruments	0	-68	0	-549
Net gain on foreign currency cash flow hedges reclassified as income	-46	-47	-139	-140
Net gain arising during the period	0	0	10,349	49
Amortization of prior service benefit during the period	968	1,029	2,912	3,085
Amortization of net loss during the period	-1,880	-2,562	-6,362	-7,687
Other comprehensive income before income tax effect	866	1,556	13,660	4,842
Income tax effect	383	382	1,148	1,147
Other comprehensive income	483	1,174	12,512	3,695
Total comprehensive income (loss)	($9,024)	($10,849)	($18,126)	($25,006)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Comprehensive loss:	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($9,507)	($12,023)	($30,638)	($28,701)
Other comprehensive income before income tax effect:	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments	0	2	0	-218
Net loss reclassified to income on financial instruments	0	68	0	549
Net gain on foreign currency cash flow hedges reclassified as income	-46	-47	-139	-140
Net gain arising during the period	0	0	10,349	49
Amortization of prior service benefit during the period	-968	-1,029	-2,912	-3,085
Amortization of net loss during the period	1,880	2,562	6,362	7,687
Other comprehensive income before income tax effect	866	1,556	13,660	4,842
Income tax effect	-383	-382	-1,148	-1,147
Other comprehensive income	483	1,174	12,512	3,695
Total comprehensive loss	($9,024)	($10,849)	($18,126)	($25,006)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net loss	($30,638)	($28,701)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Unrealized net (gain) loss on forward contracts	-762	3,196
Gain on bargain purchase	-5,253	0
Unrealized gain on E.ON contingent obligation	-16,428	0
Accrued and other plant curtailment costs — net	3,380	4,025
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment	10,286	-19,818
Depreciation	49,082	46,925
Sebree power contract amortization	-14,461	0
Debt discount amortization	586	791
Pension and other postretirement benefits	-2,674	673
Stock-based compensation	961	412
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	3,272	0
Undistributed earnings of joint ventures	-2,118	-2,116
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable — net	-1,063	3,320
Due from affiliates	12,915	317
Inventories	-22,848	31,810
Prepaid and other current assets	-4,892	-8,254
Accounts payable, trade	26,547	-8,823
Due to affiliates	32,002	761
Accrued and other current liabilities	2,209	8,743
Other — net	2,355	-12,176
Net cash provided by operating activities	42,458	21,085
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-31,994	-10,399
Nordural expansion — Helguvik	-2,855	-5,474
Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements	-8,519	-14,185
Purchase of Sebree smelter	-48,058	0
Investments in and advances to joint ventures	0	-275
Dividends and payments received on advances from joint ventures	0	3,166
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	515	89
Restricted and other cash deposits	-3,015	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-93,926	-27,078
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Repayment of debt	-249,604	0
Proceeds from issuance of debt	246,330	0
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	16,725	18,076
Repayments under revolving credit facility	0	-18,076
Debt issuance costs	-3,994	0
Debt retirement costs	-1,208	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	-4,033
Issuance of common stock — net	44	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8,293	-4,033
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-43,175	-10,026
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	183,976	183,401
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$140,801	$173,375

General

General	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
General [Abstract]	'
General	'
		General
	The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Century Aluminum Company should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. In management’s opinion, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, that are necessary for a fair presentation of financial results for the interim periods presented. Operating results for the first nine months of 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. Throughout this Form 10-Q, and unless expressly stated otherwise or as the context otherwise requires, "Century Aluminum," "Century," "we," "us," "our" and "ours" refer to Century Aluminum Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Acquisition_of_Sebree_aluminum

Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter	'
	Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter
	On June 1, 2013, our wholly owned subsidiary, Century Aluminum Sebree LLC ("Century Sebree"), acquired the Sebree aluminum smelter ("Sebree") from a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Alcan, Inc ("RTA"). Sebree, located in Robards, Kentucky, has an annual hot metal production capacity of 205,000 metric tons of primary aluminum and employs approximately 500 people. The purchase price for the acquisition was $61,000 (subject to customary working capital adjustments), of which we have paid approximately $48,000 as of September 30, 2013. The remaining portion of the purchase price will be paid following final determination of the applicable working capital adjustments, which will be determined based on the amount of working capital transferred to Century Sebree at closing versus a target working capital amount of $71,000. As part of the transaction, RTA retained all historical environmental liabilities of the Sebree smelter and funded the pension plan assumed by Century Sebree in accordance with the purchase agreement.
	Purchase Price Allocation
	Allocating the purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities involves management judgment. We allocated the purchase price to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and the bargain gain in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805 "Business Combinations." Once it has been determined that recognition of an asset or liability in a business combination is appropriate, we measure the asset or liability at fair value in accordance with the principles of ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures." Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
	The determination of the fair value of certain intangible assets and/or liabilities requires management judgment in each of the following areas:
	•	Identifying the acquired intangible assets or liabilities. In the case of the Sebree acquisition, we assumed a power contract liability as the contracted power price was in excess of current market prices.
	•	Estimating the fair value of the intangible assets and/or liabilities. We consider various approaches to value the acquired intangible assets and/or liabilities. These valuation approaches include the cost approach, which measures the value of an asset based on the cost to reproduce it or replace it with a like asset; the market approach, which values the asset through an analysis of sales and offerings of comparable assets; and the income approach, which measures the value of an asset (or liability) by measuring the present worth of the economic benefits (or costs) it is expected to produce.
	The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on the estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price allocation is preliminary and subject to change based on the finalization of the valuation of certain assets and liabilities. Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, we recorded a gain on bargain purchase of approximately $5,253. In connection with the recognition of the bargain purchase gain and related net deferred tax liabilities, we partially released a valuation allowance associated with recorded deferred tax assets of $2,090. The gain on bargain purchase reflects the London Metal Exchange (the "LME") market and the market risk associated with the power supply agreement for the facility at June 1, 2013. We revised our second quarter financial results for 2013 for certain measurement period adjustments, which are reflected in the year-to-date financial statements (and not in the financial statements for the quarter). The measurement period adjustments to date include adjustments to the valuation of the pension liability, asset retirement obligations, certain inventory balances and related tax effects. The following table summarizes the preliminary estimates of fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
		Acquisition Date Estimated Fair Value as of June 1, 2013			Measurement Period Adjustments			Acquisition Date Estimated Fair Value as of September 30, 2013
	Consideration:
	Cash (1)	$	47,373		$	710		$	48,083
	Assets Acquired:
	Inventories	58,496			522			59,018
	Prepaid and other current assets	363			—			363
	Property, plant and equipment – net	55,520			—			55,520
	Total assets acquired	$	114,379		$	522		$	114,901
	Liabilities Assumed:
	Accrued and other current liabilities	$	44,121		$	(805	)	$	43,316
	Accrued pension benefit costs	5,039			(4,043		)	996
	Accrued post retirement benefit costs	6,544			—			6,544
	Other liabilities	8,003			(527		)	7,476
	Deferred taxes	1,257			1,976			3,233
	Total liabilities assumed	$	64,964		$	(3,399	)	$	61,565
	Gain on bargain purchase:	$	2,042		$	3,211		$	5,253
	-1	This amount represents our preliminary estimate of consideration based on our expectation of the working capital adjustments. The working capital adjustments have not yet been finalized.
	Through September 30, 2013, the actual revenue and net loss of Sebree since the acquisition date of June 1, 2013 included in the consolidated statement of operations is as follows:
		Three months ended September 30, 2013			Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Sebree revenue	$	101,531		$	140,284
	Sebree net loss	(1,800		)	(2,044		)
	The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 reflects our results of continuing operations as if the acquisition of Sebree had been completed on January 1, 2012. This unaudited pro forma financial information is provided for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations would have been had the transactions taken place on January 1, 2012, nor is it indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of the combined companies.
		Three months ended September 30,			Nine months ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012
	Pro forma revenues	$	410,009		$	1,261,533		$	1,300,869
	Pro forma loss from continuing operations	(12,620		)	(57,853		)	(16,951		)
	Loss per common share, basic	(0.14		)	(0.65		)	(0.19		)
	Loss per common share, diluted	(0.14		)	(0.65		)	(0.19		)

Asset_purchase

Asset purchase	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]	'
Asset purchase	'
		Asset purchase
	In June 2012, our wholly owned subsidiary, Century Aluminum Vlissingen ("Century Vlissingen") purchased substantially all of the assets of the Zalco anode production facility located in Vlissingen, the Netherlands for approximately $12,500. In connection with the purchase, we entered into a ground lease with respect to the facility that is renewable at our option. Century Vlissingen did not assume, and is indemnified by the seller against, historical liabilities of the facility.
	Following the acquisition, we have undertaken a significant capital investment to modernize the facility, comply with environmental regulations and optimize anode production for our smelter in Grundartangi. We expect the first 75,000 metric tons of capacity will be restarted in late 2013 and will provide an anode supply to replace third-party anode supply contracts that terminated in 2013.

Fair_value_measurements

Fair value measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value measurements	'
	Fair value measurements
	The following section describes the valuation methodology used to measure our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value and are categorized based on the fair value hierarchy described in ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurements."
	Overview of Century’s valuation methodology
		Level	Significant inputs
	Cash equivalents	1	Quoted market prices
	Trust assets (1)	1	Quoted market prices
	Surety bonds	1	Quoted market prices
	E.ON U.S. (“E.ON”) contingent obligation	3	Quoted LME forward market, management’s estimates of the LME forward market prices for periods beyond the quoted periods and management’s estimate of future level of operations at Century Aluminum of Kentucky, our wholly owned subsidiary (“CAKY”)
	Primary aluminum sales premium contracts	3	Management’s estimates of future U.S. Midwest premium and risk-adjusted discount rates
	Midwest premium contracts	3	Management’s estimates of future U.S. Midwest premium
	-1	Trust assets are currently invested in money market funds. These trust assets are held to fund the non-qualified supplemental executive pension benefit obligations for certain of our officers. The trust has sole authority to invest the funds in secure interest producing investments consisting of short-term securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or cash and cash equivalents.
	Fair value measurements
	Our fair value measurements include the consideration of market risks that other market participants might consider in pricing the particular asset or liability, specifically non-performance risk and counterparty credit risk. Consideration of the non-performance risk and counterparty credit risk are used to establish the appropriate risk-adjusted discount rates used in our fair value measurements.
	The following table sets forth our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis by the level of input within the ASC 820 fair value hierarchy.  As required by GAAP for fair value measurements and disclosures, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and the placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2 during the periods presented. There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the periods presented below. It is our policy to recognize transfers into and transfers out of Level 3 as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements	As of September 30, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	ASSETS:
	Cash equivalents	$	119,183		$	—		$	—	$	119,183
	Trust assets (1)	11,588			—			—		11,588
	Surety bonds	1,574			—			—		1,574
	Midwest premium contracts	—			—			363		363
	TOTAL	$	132,345		$	—		$	363	$	132,708
	LIABILITIES:
	E.ON contingent obligation – net (2)	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
	Primary aluminum sales contract	—			—			771		771
	TOTAL	$	—		$	—		$	771	$	771
	-1	Trust assets are currently invested in money market funds.
	-2	Based on the LME forward market prices for primary aluminum at September 30, 2013 and management's estimate of the LME forward market for periods beyond the quoted periods, we believe that we will not have any payment obligations for the E.ON contingent obligation through the term of the agreement which expires in 2028. See Note 10 Debt for additional information about the E.ON contingent obligation fair value.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements	As of December 31, 2012
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	ASSETS:
	Cash equivalents	$	168,309		$	—		$	—	$	168,309
	Trust assets (1)	14,254			—			—		14,254
	Surety bonds	2,123			—			—		2,123
	TOTAL	$	184,686		$	—		$	—	$	184,686
	LIABILITIES:
	E.ON contingent obligation – net	$	—		$	—		$	15,369	$	15,369
	Primary aluminum sales contract	—			—			1,170		1,170
	TOTAL	$	—		$	—		$	16,539	$	16,539
	-1	Trust assets are currently invested in money market funds.
	Change in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements during the three months ended September 30,
		Derivative liabilities - net
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance, July 1,	$	(773	)	$	(16,024	)
	Total gain (loss) included in earnings	365			(371		)
	Ending balance, September 30,	$	(408	)	$	(16,395	)
	Amount of gain (loss) included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets and liabilities held at September 30,	$	365		$	(371	)
	Change in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements during the nine months ended September 30,
		Derivative liabilities - net
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance, January 1,	$	(16,539	)	$	(14,760	)
	Total gain (loss) included in earnings	16,131			(1,529		)
	Settlements	—			(106		)
	Ending balance, September 30,	$	(408	)	$	(16,395	)
	Amount of gain (loss) included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets and liabilities held at September 30,	$	16,131		$	(1,529	)
	The net gain (loss) on our derivative assets and liabilities is recorded in our consolidated statements of operations under net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts. See Note 5 Derivative and hedging instruments for the location of our Level 3 derivative assets and liabilities within our consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative_and_hedging_instrum

Derivative and hedging instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative and hedging instruments	'
	Derivative and hedging instruments
	The following table provides the fair value and balance sheet classification of our derivatives:
	Fair Value of Derivatives
		Balance sheet location	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	DERIVATIVE ASSETS:
	Midwest premium contracts (1)	Prepaid and other current assets	$	363		$	—
	TOTAL		$	363		$	—
	DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES:
	Aluminum sales premium contracts	Accrued and other current liabilities	$	771		$	1,170
	E.ON contingent obligation – net (2)	Other liabilities	—			15,369
	TOTAL		$	771		$	16,539
	-1	We entered into a fixed-price forward contract that settles monthly from January 2014 to March 2014 based on the Midwest Premium price published in the Platts Metals Week for the applicable period.
	-2	Based on the LME forward market prices for primary aluminum at September 30, 2013 and management's estimate of the LME forward market for periods beyond the quoted periods, we believe that we will not have any payment obligations for the E.ON contingent obligation through the term of the agreement which expires in 2028. See Note 10 Debt for additional information about the E.ON contingent obligation fair value.
	Primary aluminum put option contracts
	In the past, we have entered into primary aluminum put option contracts that settled monthly based on LME prices.  The option contract volumes accounted for a portion of our domestic production, with a strike price around our domestic facilities’ average cash basis break-even price at the time.
	Our counterparties included two non-related third parties and an affiliate of Glencore Xstrata plc (together with its subsidiaries, "Glencore"), a related party. We paid cash premiums to enter into the put option contracts and recorded an asset on the consolidated balance sheets. We determined the fair value of the put option contracts using a Black-Scholes model with market data provided by an independent vendor.
	Aluminum sales premium contracts
	The Glencore Metal Agreement is a physical delivery contract for primary aluminum through December 31, 2013 with variable, LME-based pricing.  Under the Glencore Metal Agreement, pricing is based on market prices, adjusted by a negotiated U.S. Midwest premium with a cap and a floor as applied to the current U.S. Midwest premium.  We account for the Glencore Metal Agreement as a derivative instrument under ASC 815.  Gains and losses on the derivative are based on the difference between the contracted U.S. Midwest premium and actual and forecasted U.S. Midwest premiums.  Settlements are recorded in related party sales.  Unrealized gains (losses) based on forecasted U.S. Midwest premiums are recorded in net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts on the consolidated statements of operations.
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
		Gain (loss) recognized in income from derivatives
			Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		Location	2013			2012			2013			2012
	E.ON contingent obligation – net	Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts	$	353		$	—		$	16,428		$	—
	Midwest premium contracts	Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts	363			—			363			—
	Primary aluminum put option contracts	Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts	—			—			—			(2,725		)
	Aluminum sales premium contracts	Related party sales	278			386			1,039			917
	Aluminum sales premium contracts	Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts	(276		)	(404		)	(640		)	(1,389		)
	E.ON contingent obligation – net	Interest expense - third party	(353		)	(353		)	(1,059		)	(1,059		)
	We had the following outstanding forward contracts that were entered into that were not designated as hedging instruments:
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Primary aluminum sales contract premium (metric tons) (1)	5,993		20,400
	Midwest premium contracts (metric tons)	6,000		—
	-1	Represents the remaining physical deliveries under the Glencore Metal Agreement.
	Counterparty credit risk. Forward financial contracts are subject to counterparty credit risk.  However, we only enter into forward financial contracts with counterparties we determine to be creditworthy at the time of entering into the contract.  If any counterparty failed to perform according to the terms of the contract, the impact would be limited to the difference between the contract price and the market price applied to the contract volume on the date of settlement.
	As of September 30, 2013, income of $153 is expected to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings over the next 12-month period for derivative instruments that have been designated and have qualified as cash flow hedging instruments and for the related hedged transactions.

Earnings_per_share

Earnings per share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings (loss) per share	'
	Earnings (loss) per share
	Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) amounts are calculated by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS amounts assume the issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding. The following table shows the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
		For the three months ended September 30,
		2013								2012
		Loss			Shares (000)		Per-Share			Loss			Shares (000)	Per-Share
	Net loss	$	(9,507	)						$	(12,023	)
	Amount allocated to common shareholders (1)	100		%						100		%
	Basic EPS:
	Loss allocable to common shareholders	(9,507		)	88,611		$	(0.11	)	(12,023		)	88,468	$	(0.14	)
	Diluted EPS:
	Loss applicable to common shareholders with assumed conversion	$	(9,507	)	88,611		$	(0.11	)	$	(12,023	)	88,468	$	(0.14	)
		For the nine months ended September 30,
		2013								2012
		Loss			Shares (000)		Per-Share			Loss			Shares (000)	Per-Share
	Net loss	$	(30,638	)						$	(28,701	)
	Amount allocated to common shareholders (1)	100		%						100		%
	Basic EPS:
	Loss allocable to common shareholders	(30,638		)	88,588		$	(0.35	)	(28,701		)	88,549	$	(0.32	)
	Diluted EPS:
	Loss applicable to common shareholders with assumed conversion	$	(30,638	)	88,588		$	(0.35	)	$	(28,701	)	88,549	$	(0.32	)
	-1	We have not allocated net losses between common and preferred shareholders, as the holders of our preferred shares do not have a contractual obligation to share in the loss.
	Impact of our outstanding Series A Convertible Preferred Stock on EPS
	Our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has similar characteristics of a “participating security” as described by the ASC 260-10-45.  The holders of our convertible preferred stock do not have a contractual obligation to share in the losses of Century. Thus, in periods where we report net losses, we will not allocate the net losses to the convertible preferred stock for the computation of basic or diluted EPS.
	Antidilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS:	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Stock options (1)	620,334		626,334		620,334		626,334
	Service-based share awards (1)	573,628		406,070		522,032		382,462
	-1	In periods when we report a net loss, all share awards are excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average stock outstanding because of their antidilutive effect on earnings (loss) per share.
	We exclude shares of our common stock repurchased under a stock repurchase program from the calculation of weighted average shares of common stock outstanding as of the date of repurchase. See Note 7 Shareholders’ equity for additional information about this program.
	Service-based share awards for which vesting is based upon continued service are not considered issued and outstanding shares of common stock until vested and issued. However, the service-based share awards are considered common stock equivalents and, therefore, the weighted average service-based share awards are included, using the treasury stock method, in common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share computations if they have a dilutive effect on earnings per share.

Shareholders_equity

Shareholders' equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' equity	'
	Shareholders’ equity
	Common Stock
	Under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Board of Directors is authorized to issue up to 195,000,000 shares of our common stock.
	The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock which are currently outstanding, including our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, or which we may designate and issue in the future.
	Stock Repurchase Program
	In August 2011, our Board of Directors approved a $60,000 stock repurchase program. Under the program, we may repurchase up to $60,000 of our outstanding shares of common stock from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in block trades or otherwise. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased is determined by our management based on its evaluation of market conditions, the trading price of the stock and other factors. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
	Shares of common stock repurchased are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in a reduction of shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets. From time to time, treasury shares may be reissued as contributions to our employee benefit plans and for the conversion of convertible preferred stock. When shares are reissued, we use an average cost method for determining cost. The difference between the cost of the shares and the reissuance price is added to or deducted from additional paid-in capital.
	From August 11, 2011 through September 30, 2013, we repurchased 4,786,521 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $49,924. We had approximately $10,076 remaining under the repurchase program authorization as of September 30, 2013.
	Series A Convertible Preferred Stock conversions
	All shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are held by Glencore. The issuance of common stock under our stock incentive programs, debt exchange transactions and any stock offering that excludes Glencore participation triggers anti-dilution provisions of the preferred stock agreement and results in the automatic conversion of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock shares into shares of common stock. See Common and Preferred Stock Activity table below for additional information about preferred stock conversions during the period.
	Common and Preferred Stock Activity:	Preferred stock		Common stock
		Series A convertible		Treasury	Outstanding
	Beginning balance as of December 31, 2012	80,283		4,786,521	88,548,637
	Conversion of convertible preferred stock	(549	)	—	54,825
	Issuance for stock compensation plans	—		—	79,469
	Ending balance as of September 30, 2013	79,734		4,786,521	88,682,931

Income_taxes

Income taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income taxes	'
	Income taxes
	We recorded income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $4,714 which primarily consisted of foreign and state income taxes, net of a release of a valuation allowance as disclosed in Note 2 Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter. Our domestic deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities, are subject to a valuation allowance; therefore, the domestic losses were not benefited.
	We recorded income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 of $7,384 which primarily consisted of foreign and state income taxes.
	Income tax expense is based on an annual effective tax rate forecast, including estimates and assumptions that could change during the year.
	As of September 30, 2013, all of Century's U.S. and certain foreign deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities, continue to be subject to a valuation allowance. The realization of these assets is dependent on substantial future taxable income which, at September 30, 2013, is not more likely than not to be achieved.
	In April 2013, we received notice from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation finalized their review of the US Federal examinations for the income tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010 and refund years of 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 without exception to the conclusions reached by the IRS. This Joint Committee is a special nonpartisan Congressional committee involved with the analysis and drafting of federal tax legislation and, as part of its mandate, reviews all federal tax refund claims over a certain amount. As a result of this determination, we have reduced the reserve for the unrecognized tax benefits related to prior years by $14,341. The reduction did not result in an impact to the effective tax rate since the reduction was offset by an increase in our valuation allowance. During the second quarter of 2013, we received refunds from the IRS of $5,009 following the Joint Committee review.
	During the second quarter of 2013, we received notice from the Directorate of Internal Revenue of Iceland of their intent to conduct a periodic review regarding certain of our Icelandic subsidiaries for the years 2010-2012.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories consist of the following:	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Raw materials	$	68,091	$	40,725
	Work-in-process	22,286		15,259
	Finished goods	12,834		9,753
	Operating and other supplies	128,294		94,188
	Inventories (1)	$	231,505	$	159,925
	-1	The balance at September 30, 2013 includes inventory maintained at the recently acquired Sebree smelter. See Note 2 Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter for additional information about the Sebree acquisition.
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, using the first-in, first-out method.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Debt classified as current liabilities:
	Hancock County industrial revenue bonds ("IRBs") due 2028, interest payable quarterly (variable interest rates (not to exceed 12%)) (1)	$	7,815		$	7,815
	7.5% senior unsecured notes payable due August 15, 2014, interest payable semiannually	2,603			—
	Debt classified as non-current liabilities:
	7.5% senior secured notes payable due June 1, 2021, net of debt discount of $3,558, interest payable semiannually	246,442			—
	8.0% senior secured notes payable due May 15, 2014, net of debt discount of $1,625, interest payable semiannually	—			247,979
	7.5% senior unsecured notes payable due August 15, 2014, interest payable semiannually	—			2,603
	E.ON contingent obligation, principal and accrued interest, contingently payable monthly, annual interest rate of 10.94% (2)	—			15,369
	Revolving credit facility (3)	16,725			—
	TOTAL	$	273,585		$	273,766
	-1	The IRBs are classified as current liabilities because they are remarketed weekly and could be required to be repaid upon demand if there is a failed remarketing. The IRB interest rate at September 30, 2013 was 0.27%.
	-2	E.ON contingent obligation principal and interest payments are payable based on CAKY’s operating level and the LME price for primary aluminum. See E.ON contingent obligation below and Note 4 Fair value measurements for additional information.
	-3	Borrowings under the revolving line of credit bear interest, at our option, at LIBOR or a base rate, plus, in each case, an applicable interest margin.  The applicable interest margin is determined based on the average daily availability for the immediately preceding quarter.
	Amended Revolving Credit Facility
	General.  We and certain of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (together with Century, the "Borrowers") and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as lender and agent, and Credit Suisse AG and BNP Paribas, as lenders, entered into the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Credit Facility”), dated May 24, 2013, as amended, modifying the credit facility signed July 1, 2010. The Credit Facility extended the term through May 24, 2018 and provides for borrowings of up to $137,500 in the aggregate, including up to $80,000 under a letter of credit sub-facility.  Any letters of credit issued and outstanding under the Credit Facility reduce our borrowing availability on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
	Status of our Credit Facility:
		September 30, 2013
	Credit Facility maximum amount	$	137,500
	Borrowing availability, net of outstanding letters of credit	44,255
	Outstanding borrowings	16,725
	Letter of credit sub-facility amount	80,000
	Outstanding letters of credit issued	70,545
	Borrowing Base.  The availability of funds under the Credit Facility is limited by a specified borrowing base consisting of accounts receivable and inventory of the Borrowers which meet the eligibility criteria.
	Guaranty.  The Borrowers' obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain of our domestic subsidiaries and secured by a continuing lien upon and a security interest in all of the Borrowers' accounts receivable, inventory and certain bank accounts.  Each Borrower is liable for any and all obligations under the Credit Facility on a joint and several basis.
	Interest Rates and Fees.  Any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility will bear interest, at our option, at LIBOR or a base rate, plus, in each case, an applicable interest margin.  The applicable interest margin is determined based on the average daily availability for the immediately preceding quarter.  In addition, we pay an unused line fee on undrawn amounts, less the amount of our letters of credit exposure.
	For standby letters of credit, we are required to pay a fee on the face amount of such letters of credit that varies depending on whether the letter of credit exposure is cash collateralized.
	Maturity.  The Credit Facility will mature on May 24, 2018.
	Prepayments.  We can make prepayments of amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, subject to standard LIBOR breakage costs, if applicable.  We may be required to apply the proceeds from sales of collateral accounts, other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business, to repay amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility and correspondingly reduce the commitments there under.
	Covenants.  The Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including restrictions on mergers and acquisitions, indebtedness, affiliate transactions, liens, dividends and distributions, dispositions of collateral, investments and prepayments of indebtedness, as well as a covenant that requires the Borrowers to maintain certain minimum liquidity or availability requirements.
	Events of Default.  The Credit Facility also includes customary events of default, including nonpayment, misrepresentation, breach of covenant, bankruptcy, change of ownership, certain judgments and certain cross defaults. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, commitments under the Credit Facility may be terminated and amounts outstanding may be accelerated and declared immediately due and payable.
	8% Notes Tender Offer, Consent Solicitation and Redemption
	In May 2013, we commenced a tender offer and consent solicitation (the “8.0% Notes Tender Offer”) to the holders of the outstanding 8% Senior Secured Notes due 2014 (the “8.0% Notes”). Investors electing to participate in the 8.0% Notes Tender Offer consented to certain amendments and modifications to the indenture governing the 8.0% Notes to remove, among other things, most of the restrictive covenants, in exchange for which we paid these investors consent fees.
	We received tenders and consents from holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the 8.0% Notes. The remaining 8.0% Notes outstanding that had not participated in the 8.0% Notes Tender Offer were redeemed at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest (the “Redemption”). Together the 8.0% Notes Tender Offer and Redemption satisfied and discharged our obligations under the 8.0% Notes and the related indenture. We used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 7.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “7.5% Notes”) and available cash on hand to fund the 8.0% Notes Tender Offer and the Redemption.
	In accordance with ASC 470, based on an evaluation of the characteristics of the 8.0% Notes and the 7.5% Notes that were issued, we determined the tender and redemption of the 8.0% Notes should be treated as an extinguishment of the debt and accordingly, we recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt in the second quarter of 2013. The loss on early extinguishment of debt consisted of the write-off of deferred financing costs and the debt discount associated with the 8.0% Notes, as well as the tender premium paid as part of the 8.0% Notes Tender Offer.
	7.5% Notes
	General.  On June 4, 2013, we issued $250,000 of our 7.5% Notes in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.  The 7.5% Notes were issued at a discount and we received proceeds of $246,330, prior to payment of financing fees and related expenses.
	Interest rate.  The 7.5% Notes bear interest at 7.5% per annum on the principal amount, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on June 1st and December 1st of each year.
	Maturity.  The 7.5% Notes mature on June 1, 2021.
	Seniority.  The 7.5% Notes are senior secured obligations of Century, ranking equally in right of payment with all existing and future senior indebtedness of Century, but effectively senior to unsecured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral.
	Guaranty.  Our obligations under the 7.5% Notes are guaranteed by all of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”), except for foreign owned holding companies and any domestic restricted subsidiary that owns no assets other than equity interests or other investments in foreign subsidiaries, which guaranty shall in each case be a senior secured obligation of such Guarantor Subsidiaries, ranking equally in right of payment with all existing and future senior indebtedness of such Guarantor Subsidiaries but effectively senior to unsecured debt.
	Collateral. Our obligations under the 7.5% Notes and the Guarantor Subsidiaries' obligations under the guarantees are secured by a pledge of and lien on (subject to certain exceptions):
	(i)	all of our and the Guarantor Subsidiaries' property, plant and equipment (other than certain excluded property, such as the assets of Berkeley Aluminum, Inc., the owner of our interest in our Mt. Holly facility);
	(i)	all equity interests in domestic subsidiaries directly owned by us and the Guarantor Subsidiaries and 65% of equity interests in foreign subsidiaries or foreign holding companies directly owned by us and the Guarantor Subsidiaries;
	(ii)	intercompany notes owed by any non-guarantor to us or any Guarantor Subsidiary to us; and
	(iii)	proceeds of the foregoing.
	Under certain circumstances, we may incur additional debt that also may be secured by liens on the collateral that are equal to or have priority over the liens securing the 7.5% Notes.
	Redemption Rights.  Prior to June 1, 2016, we may redeem the 7.5% Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium, and if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of the years indicated below, at the following redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid interest:
	Year	Percentage
	2016	105.62%
	2017	103.75%
	2018	101.88%
	2019 and thereafter	100.00%
	Upon a change of control (as defined in the indenture governing the 7.5% Notes), we will be required to make an offer to purchase the 7.5% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the outstanding principal amount of the 7.5% Notes on the date of the purchase, plus accrued interest to the date of purchase.
	Covenants.  The indenture governing the 7.5% Notes contains customary covenants which may limit our ability, and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries, to: (i) incur additional debt; (ii) create liens; (iii) pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock; (iv) purchase or redeem capital stock; (v) make investments or certain other restricted payments; (vi) sell assets; (vii) issue or sell stock of certain subsidiaries; (viii) enter into transactions with shareholders or affiliates; and (ix) effect a consolidation or merger.
	E.ON contingent obligation
	The E.ON contingent obligation consists of the aggregate E.ON payments made to Big Rivers Electric Corporation ("Big Rivers") on CAKY’s behalf in excess of the agreed upon base amount under an agreement to "unwind" a former contractual arrangement and enter into an agreement to provide power for Hawesville's production requirements with pricing based on the provider's cost of production (the "Big Rivers Agreement"). Our obligation to make repayments is contingent upon certain operating criteria for our Hawesville, Kentucky facility and the LME price of primary aluminum. When the conditions for repayment are met, and for so long as those conditions continue to be met, we will be obligated to make principal and interest payments, in up to 72 monthly payments.
	Based on the LME forward market prices for primary aluminum at September 30, 2013 and management's estimate of the LME forward market for periods beyond the quoted periods, we recognized a derivative asset which offsets our contingent obligation. As a result, our net liability decreased and we recorded a gain of $16,428 in net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Based on the LME forward market prices for primary aluminum at September 30, 2013 and management's estimate of the LME forward market for periods beyond the quoted periods, we believe that we will not have any payment obligations for the E.ON contingent obligation through the term of the agreement, which expires in 2028. However, future increases in the LME forward market may result in a partial or full derecognition of the derivative asset and a corresponding recognition of a loss. The following table provides information about the balance sheet location and gross amounts offset:
	Offsetting of financial instruments and derivatives
		Balance sheet location	30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
	E.ON contingent obligation – principal	Other liabilities	$	(12,902	)	$	(12,902	)
	E.ON contingent obligation – accrued interest	Other liabilities	(3,526		)	(2,467		)
E.ON contingent obligation – derivative asset	Other liabilities	16,428			—
		$	—		$	(15,369	)

Commitments_and_contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and contingencies	'
	Commitments and contingencies
	Environmental Contingencies
	Based upon all available information, we believe our current environmental liabilities do not have, and are not likely to have, a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Because of the issues and uncertainties described below and the inability to predict the requirements of future environmental laws, there can be no assurance that future capital expenditures and costs for environmental compliance at currently or formerly owned or operated properties will not result in liabilities which may have a material adverse effect.
	It is our policy to accrue for costs associated with environmental assessments and remedial efforts when it becomes probable that a liability has been incurred and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The aggregate environmental-related accrued liabilities were $1,322 and $906 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. All accrued amounts have been recorded without giving effect to any possible future recoveries. With respect to costs for ongoing environmental compliance, including maintenance and monitoring, such costs are expensed as incurred.
	Century Aluminum of West Virginia ("CAWV") continues to perform monitoring activities at our Ravenswood, West Virginia facility pursuant to an order issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") in 1994 (the “3008(h) Order”).  CAWV also conducted a RCRA facility investigation (“RFI”) under the 3008(h) Order evaluating other areas at Ravenswood that may have contamination requiring remediation. The RFI has been approved by appropriate agencies.  CAWV has completed interim remediation measures at two sites identified in the RFI, and we believe no further remediation will be required. A Corrective Measures Study, which formally documents the conclusion of these activities, has been submitted to the EPA and a final order has been completed and was signed by the EPA in April 2013. Under the order, CAWV's responsibilities going forward include monitoring specific wells as well as restricting access to certain parts of the site.
	Prior to our purchase of Hawesville, the EPA issued a final Record of Decision (“ROD”) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”). By agreement, Southwire Company (“Southwire”), the former owner and operator, is to perform all obligations under the ROD.  CAKY has agreed to operate and maintain the ground water treatment system required under the ROD on behalf of Southwire, and Southwire will reimburse CAKY for any expense that exceeds $400 annually.
	In July 2006, we were named as a defendant, together with certain affiliates of Alcan Inc., in a lawsuit brought by Alcoa Inc. seeking to determine responsibility for certain environmental indemnity obligations related to the sale of a cast aluminum plate manufacturing facility located in Vernon, California, which we purchased from Alcoa Inc. in December 1998, and sold to Alcan Rolled Products-Ravenswood LLC in July 1999. The complaint also seeks costs and attorney fees. The matter is in a preliminary stage, and we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this action or estimate a range of possible losses related to this matter at this time. We do not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve this action will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, regardless of the final outcome.
	Matters relating to the St. Croix Alumina Refining Facility
	We are a party to an EPA Administrative Order on Consent (the “Order”) pursuant to which other past and present owners of an alumina refining facility at St. Croix, Virgin Islands (the “St. Croix Alumina Refinery”) have agreed to carry out a Hydrocarbon Recovery Plan to remove and manage hydrocarbons floating on groundwater underlying the facility.  Pursuant to the Hydrocarbon Recovery Plan, recovered hydrocarbons and groundwater are delivered to the adjacent petroleum refinery where they are received and managed. In connection with the sale of the facility by Lockheed Martin Corporation (“Lockheed”) to one of our affiliates, Virgin Islands Alumina Corporation (“Vialco”), in 1989, Lockheed, Vialco and Century entered into the Lockheed-Vialco Asset Purchase Agreement. The indemnity provisions contained in the Lockheed-Vialco Asset Purchase Agreement allocate responsibility for certain environmental matters. Lockheed has tendered indemnity and defense of the above matter to Vialco. We have likewise tendered indemnity to Lockheed. Through September 30, 2013, we have expended approximately $985 on the Hydrocarbon Recovery Plan.  At this time, we are not able to estimate the amount of any future potential payments under this indemnification to comply with the Order, but we do not anticipate that any such amounts will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, regardless of the final outcome.
	In May 2005, we and Vialco were among several defendants listed in a lawsuit filed by the Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (“DPNR”), in his capacity as Trustee for Natural Resources of the United States Virgin Islands.  The complaint alleges damages to natural resources caused by alleged releases from the St. Croix Alumina Refinery and the adjacent petroleum refinery.  The primary cause of action is pursuant to the natural resource damage provisions of CERCLA, but various ancillary Territorial law causes of action were included as well.  We and Lockheed have each tendered indemnity and defense of the case to the other pursuant to the terms of the Lockheed-Vialco Asset Purchase Agreement.  The complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages, costs and attorney fees. In November 2011, the court granted a motion by Century, dismissing Century from the case. Vialco, however, remains a defendant in this case and has asserted factual and affirmative defenses. The discovery process has closed. As of September 30, 2013, no trial date has been set for the remaining claims.
	In December 2006, Vialco and the succeeding owners of the St. Croix Alumina Refinery were named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by the Commissioner of the DPNR. The complaint alleges the defendants failed to take certain actions specified in a Coastal Zone management permit issued to Vialco in October 1994, and alleges violations of territorial water pollution control laws during the various defendants’ periods of ownership. The complaint seeks statutory and other unspecified monetary penalties for the alleged violations. The parties are currently engaged in the discovery process.
	In May 2009, St. Croix Renaissance Group, L.L.L.P. (“SCRG”) filed a third-party complaint for contribution and other relief against several third-party defendants, including Century and Vialco, relating to a lawsuit filed against SCRG seeking recovery of response costs relating to the aforementioned DPNR CERCLA matter. In February 2011, the court granted a motion by Century, dismissing Century from the case. In March 2011, the court granted the remaining defendants’, including Vialco’s, motion for summary judgment, dismissing the case. The plaintiff filed a notice of appeal with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in May 2011. On June 5, 2013, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the lower court's ruling to hold that plaintiff's expenditures of funds may be found as recoverable response costs incurred by the government entitling plaintiffs to recover future response costs. Vialco remains the only Century entity in the litigation.
	In December 2010, Century was among several defendants listed in a lawsuit filed by plaintiffs who either worked, resided or owned property in the area downwind from the St. Croix Alumina Refinery. In March 2011, Century was also named a defendant in a nearly identical suit brought by certain additional plaintiffs previously named in the aforementioned suit. The plaintiffs in both suits allege damages caused by the presence of red mud and other particulates coming from the alumina facility and are seeking unspecified monetary damages, costs and attorney fees as well as certain injunctive relief. We have tendered indemnity and defense to St. Croix Alumina LLC and Alcoa Alumina & Chemical LLC under the terms of an acquisition agreement relating to the facility and have filed a motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ claims, but the court has not yet ruled on the motion. At this time, it is not practicable to predict the ultimate outcome of or to estimate a range of possible losses relating to any of the foregoing actions relating to the St. Croix Alumina Refinery.
	Legal Contingencies
	In addition to the foregoing matters, we have pending against us or may be subject to various lawsuits, claims and proceedings related primarily to employment, commercial, environmental, shareholder, safety and health matters.
	In evaluating whether to accrue for losses associated with legal contingencies, it is our policy to take into consideration factors such as the facts and circumstances asserted, our historical experience with contingencies of a similar nature, the likelihood of our prevailing and the severity of any potential loss.  For some matters, no accrual is established because we have assessed our risk of loss to be remote.  Where the risk of loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record an accrual, either on an individual basis or with respect to a group of matters involving similar claims, based on the factors set forth above.
	We also determine estimates of reasonably possible losses or ranges of reasonably possible losses in excess of related accrued liabilities, if any, when we have assessed that a loss is reasonably possible.  Based on current knowledge, management has ascertained estimates for losses that are reasonably possible and management does not believe that any reasonably possible outcomes in excess of our accruals, if any, either individually or in aggregate, would be material to our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. We reevaluate and update our assessments and accruals as matters progress over time.
	We have been named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by our former Chief Executive Officer, Logan Kruger, alleging breach of contract.  The lawsuit alleges that Century anticipatorily breached the employment and severance protection agreements between Century and Mr. Kruger and that Century is obligated to make various severance payments in excess of $20,000 to Mr. Kruger under such agreements.  In addition, the complaint seeks unspecified damages, including costs and attorneys’ fees. The trial court has transferred the matter to an arbitration panel for resolution. We believe these claims are without merit and intend to defend ourselves against them. The arbitration hearing was held in the third quarter of 2013, and we currently expect a ruling in the arbitration in late 2013 or in the first quarter of 2014.
	In April 2013, our subsidiary Nordural Grundartangi received a ruling in an arbitration case involving two of its power suppliers, HS Orka and Orkuveita Reykjavikur. Under the arbitration award, Nordural Grundartangi is restricted from reducing power under its existing power contracts with HS Orka and Orkuveita Reykjavikur in order to take power under a separate power contract with Orkuveita Reykjavikur originally intended to be used at Helguvik. Nordural Grundartangi remains entitled to take power under the Orkuveita Reykjavikur Helguvik contract to the extent that its power needs exceed the amount of power provided under its existing power contracts. As part of the award, the tribunal awarded HS Orka damages and Nordural Grundartangi paid $1,470 to HS Orka in full satisfaction of such award. The tribunal ordered each party to pay its own legal fees and costs. While no damages were awarded to Orkuveita Reykjavikur as part of the arbitration, Orkuveita Reykjavikur has subsequently alleged damages against Nordural Grundartangi.  We intend to defend ourselves against these claims.   The matter is in a preliminary stage, and we cannot estimate a range of possible losses related to this matter at this time. Regardless of the final outcome, we do not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve this action will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
	Ravenswood Retiree Medical Benefits changes
	In November 2009, CAWV filed a class action complaint for declaratory judgment against the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (“USWA”), the USWA’s local union, and certain CAWV retirees, individually and as class representatives, seeking a declaration of CAWV’s rights to modify/terminate retiree medical benefits.  Later in November 2009, the USWA and representatives of a retiree class filed a separate suit against CAWV, Century Aluminum Company, Century Aluminum Master Welfare Benefit Plan, and various John Does with respect to the foregoing.  These actions, entitled Dewhurst, et al. v. Century Aluminum Co., et al., and Century Aluminum of West Virginia, Inc. v. United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO/CLC, et al., have been consolidated and venue has been set in the District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
	In January 2010, the USWA filed a motion for preliminary injunction to prevent us from implementing the foregoing changes while these lawsuits are pending, which was dismissed by the trial court. In August 2011, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the District Court’s dismissal of the USWA’s motion for preliminary injunction. The discovery process is closed.
	PBGC Settlement
	In June 2011, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the “PBGC”) informed us that it believed a “cessation of operations” under ERISA had occurred at our Ravenswood facility as a result of the curtailment of operations at the facility. Although we disagree that a “cessation of operations” occurred, we entered into a settlement agreement with the PBGC in April 2013 to resolve the matter. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we will make additional contributions (above any minimum required contributions) to our defined benefit pension plans totaling approximately $17,400 over the term of the agreement, which runs through 2016.  In April 2013, we made the first scheduled contribution pursuant to this agreement of $5,900. Under certain circumstances, in periods of lower primary aluminum prices relative to our operations, we may defer one or more of these payments, but we would be required to provide the PBGC with acceptable security for any deferred payments.
	Power Commitments
	Hawesville
	In August 2012, CAKY issued a 12-month notice to terminate its long-term power supply agreement (the “Hawesville Power Agreement”) with Kenergy, a member cooperative of Big Rivers. Pursuant to the termination notice, the Hawesville Power Agreement terminated on August 20, 2013.
	The Kentucky Public Service Commission (“KPSC”) approved a new power supply agreement with Kenergy and Big Rivers for providing market priced power to the Hawesville smelter, effective August 20, 2013. Under the arrangement, the power companies purchase power on the open market and pass it through to Hawesville at the market price plus transmission and other costs incurred by them. In connection with the new power agreements, CAKY is also seeking approval from applicable regional transmission organizations and regulatory bodies regarding grid stability and energy import capability. A group of industrial customers in Kentucky subsequently filed an appeal to the KPSC order approving the new power supply arrangement at Hawesville, which appeal is currently pending. We believe this appeal is without merit and that the points argued in the appeal were already rejected by the KPSC prior to the issuance of its order approving the new power supply arrangement at Hawesville.
	Sebree
	In January 2013, Sebree issued a 12-month notice to terminate its long-term power supply agreement (the “Sebree Power Agreement”) with Kenergy. The Sebree Power Agreement is take-or-pay for Sebree’s energy requirements at full production. During the 12-month notice period, Century is required to pay a demand charge for power, but is not obligated to continue operating the plant. The Sebree Power Agreement currently provides sufficient power at cost-based rates for Sebree’s full production capacity requirements, but, pursuant to the termination notice, the Sebree Power Agreement will terminate on January 31, 2014. We are seeking a market-based power contract for Sebree similar to the agreement we have reached for Hawesville, but no assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain one.  If a new power arrangement is not reached and approved prior to January 31, 2014, the Sebree plant will be curtailed.
	Mt. Holly
	Mt. Holly has a power purchase agreement (the “Santee Cooper Agreement”) with the South Carolina Public Service Authority (“Santee Cooper”) with a term through December 2015.  The Santee Cooper Agreement provides adequate power for Mt. Holly’s full production capacity requirements at prices based on published rate schedules (which are subject to change), with adjustments for fuel prices and other items.  The Santee Cooper Agreement restricts Mt. Holly’s ability to reduce its power consumption (or the associated payment obligations) below contracted levels and to terminate the agreement, unless, in each case, the LME falls below certain negotiated levels.
	In 2012, Mt. Holly and Santee Cooper amended the terms of the Santee Cooper agreement in order to allow Mt. Holly to receive all or a portion of Mt. Holly's supplemental power requirements from an off-system natural gas-fired power generation facility (the “off-system facility”).  The energy charge for supplemental power from the off-system facility is based, among other factors, on the cost of natural gas rather than Santee Cooper's system average fuel costs, which are primarily coal-based. The amendments to the power agreement may provide a benefit to Mt. Holly provided that natural gas costs remain below Santee Cooper's system average fuel costs. The amended power agreement provides that Mt. Holly may continue to receive its supplemental power requirements from the off-system facility through December 31, 2015. We are currently in discussions with Santee Cooper regarding power arrangements for Mt. Holly following December 31, 2015.
	Ravenswood
	CAWV has a power purchase agreement (the “ApCo Agreement”) with the Appalachian Power Company (“ApCo”).  CAWV currently purchases a limited amount of power under the ApCo Agreement as necessary to maintain its Ravenswood smelter, which is presently curtailed.  Power is supplied under the ApCo Agreement at prices set forth in published tariffs (which are subject to change), with certain adjustments.
	Grundartangi
	Nordural Grundartangi ehf has power purchase agreements with HS Orka hf (“HS”), Landsvirkjun and Orkuveita Reykjavikur (“OR”) to provide power to its Grundartangi smelter.  These power purchase agreements, which will expire on various dates from 2019 through 2036, provide power at LME-based variable rates.  Each power purchase agreement contains take-or-pay obligations with respect to a significant percentage of the total committed and available power under such agreement.
	In the fourth quarter of 2011, an additional 47.5 MW of power became available under a power purchase agreement with OR. This power can be used at either Grundartangi or Helguvik and a significant portion is currently being utilized at Grundartangi.
	In June 2012, Nordural Grundartangi entered into a new supplemental power contract with Landsvirkjun. The supplemental power contract, which will expire in October 2029 (or upon the occurrence of certain earlier events), will provide Nordural Grundartangi with supplemental power, as Nordural Grundartangi may request from time to time, at LME-based variable rates. Nordural Grundartangi has agreed to make certain prepayments to Landsvirkjun for power expected to be used at a later date in connection with the contract, which will reduce the price paid for power at the time of consumption. As of September 30, 2013, these power prepayments totaled approximately $2,000. We expect the amount of the prepayment to continue to grow slowly and we do not expect to realize the benefits from the prepayments in the near term.
	Helguvik
	Nordural Helguvik ehf has power purchase agreements with HS and OR to provide power to the Helguvik project.  These power purchase agreements provide power at LME-based variable rates and contain take-or-pay obligations with respect to a significant percentage of the total committed and available power under such agreements.  The first stage of power under the OR power purchase agreement (approximately 47.5 MW) became available in the fourth quarter of 2011 and a significant portion of that power is currently being utilized at Grundartangi.  No other power is currently available under either power purchase agreement.  HS (with respect to all phases) and OR (with respect to all phases other than the first phase) have alleged that certain conditions to the delivery of power under the power purchase agreements have not been satisfied.  Nordural Helguvik is in discussion with both HS and OR with respect to such conditions and other matters pertaining to these agreements.
	Other Commitments and Contingencies
	Labor Commitments
	Approximately 75% of our U.S. based work force is represented by the USWA. CAKY’s Hawesville employees represented by the USWA are under a collective bargaining agreement which expires on March 31, 2015. The Sebree employees represented by the USWA are under a collective bargaining agreement that expires on September 30, 2014.
	In April 2010, Nordural Grundartangi ehf entered into a new labor agreement with the five labor unions representing approximately 84% of Grundartangi’s work force. The labor agreement expires on December 31, 2014.
	The labor agreement for CAWV’s Ravenswood plant employees represented by the USWA expired on August 31, 2010.
	Other Commitments
	The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the related Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (the “Health Care Acts”) were enacted in March 2010. The Health Care Acts extend health care coverage to many uninsured individuals and expand coverage to those already insured. The Health Care Acts contain provisions which could impact our retiree medical benefits in future periods. However, the extent of that impact, if any, cannot be determined until regulations are promulgated under the Health Care Acts and additional interpretations of the Health Care Acts become available. We are continuing to assess the potential impacts that this legislation may have on our future results of operations, liquidity and financial position related to our health care benefits and other postretirement benefit obligations. Among other things, the Health Care Acts eliminated the tax deductibility of the Medicare Part D subsidy for companies that provide qualifying prescription drug coverage to retirees effective for years beginning after December 31, 2012.

Forward_delivery_contracts_and

Forward delivery contracts and financial instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Forward delivery contracts [Abstract]	'
Forward delivery contracts and financial instruments	'
		Forward delivery contracts and financial instruments
	As a producer of primary aluminum, we are exposed to fluctuating raw material and primary aluminum prices. From time to time we enter into fixed and market priced contracts for the sale of primary aluminum and the purchase of raw materials in future periods.
	Forward Physical Delivery Agreements
	Primary Aluminum Sales Contracts
	Contract	Customer	Volume	Term	Pricing
	Glencore Metal Agreement (1)	Glencore	20,400 metric tons per year ("mtpy")	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market
	Glencore Sweep Agreement (2)	Glencore	Surplus primary aluminum produced in the United States	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market
	Glencore Nordural Metal Agreement	Glencore	Approximately 19,000 metric tons	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on LME
	Southwire Metal Agreement (3)	Southwire	220 to 240 million pounds per year (high conductivity molten aluminum)	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market
	RTA Metal Agreement	Rio Tinto Alcan	Approximately 111,000 metric tons	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market
	-1	We account for the Glencore Metal Agreement as a derivative instrument under ASC 815. Under the Glencore Metal Agreement, pricing is based on then-current Midwest market prices, adjusted by a negotiated U.S. Midwest premium with a cap and a floor as applied to the current U.S. Midwest premium.
	-2	The Glencore Sweep Agreement is for all metal produced in the U.S. in 2013, less existing sales agreements and high-purity metal sales. The term of the contract may be extended for one year upon mutual agreement.
	-3	The Southwire Metal Agreement contains termination rights in the event of a partial or full curtailment of the Hawesville facility. Despite reaching power agreements, certain regulatory approvals have not yet been received and CAKY could curtail all smelter operations if these approvals are not ultimately received.
	Tolling Contracts
	Contract	Customer	Volume	Term	Pricing
	Billiton Tolling Agreement (1)	BHP Billiton	130,000 mtpy	Through December 31, 2013	LME-based
	Glencore Toll Agreement (1)	Glencore	90,000 mtpy	Through July 31, 2016	LME-based
	Glencore Toll Agreement (1)	Glencore	40,000 mtpy	Through December 31, 2014	LME-based
	-1	Grundartangi’s tolling revenues include a premium based on the European Union (“EU”) import duty for primary aluminum.
	Apart from the Glencore Metal Agreement, the Glencore Sweep Agreement, the Glencore Nordural Metal Agreement, the Southwire Metal Agreement and the RTA Metal Agreement, we had the following forward delivery contractual commitments:
	Other forward delivery contracts
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
		(in metric tons)
	Other forward delivery contracts – total	32,994		88,827
	Other forward delivery contracts – Glencore	1,775		1,811
	We had no outstanding primary aluminum forward financial sales contracts at September 30, 2013. We had no fixed price forward financial contracts to purchase aluminum at September 30, 2013.
	Forward Financial Instruments
	We are party to various forward financial and physical delivery contracts, which are accounted for as derivative instruments. See Note 5 Derivative and hedging instruments for additional information about these instruments.

Supplemental_cash_flow_informa

Supplemental cash flow information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental cash flow information	'
	Supplemental cash flow information
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013		2012
	Cash paid for:
	Interest	$	11,293	$	10,220
	Income/withholding taxes (1)	27,254		33,625
	Non-cash investing activities:
	Accrued capital costs	$	4,034	$	935
	-1	We paid withholding taxes in Iceland of $18,067 and $22,633 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our tax payments in Iceland for withholding taxes, income taxes and associated refunds are denominated in Icelandic kronur ("ISK"). We expect to receive refunds of the withholding tax payments in the fourth quarters of 2013 and 2014. See Note 18 Subsequent events for additional information about withholding tax refunds.

Asset_retirement_obligations_A

Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”)	'
	Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”)
	Our asset retirement obligations consist primarily of costs associated with the disposal of spent pot liner used in the reduction cells of our domestic facilities.
	The reconciliation of the changes in the asset retirement obligations is presented below:
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013			Year ended December 31, 2012
	Beginning balance, ARO liability	$	16,124		$	15,171
	Additional ARO liability incurred	1,648			1,166
	ARO liabilities settled	(1,493		)	(1,380		)
	Accretion expense	1,334			1,167
	Additional ARO liability from Sebree acquisition	10,106			—
	Ending balance, ARO liability	$	27,719		$	16,124
	Certain conditional AROs related to the disposal costs of fixed assets at our primary aluminum facilities have not been recorded because they have an indeterminate settlement date. These conditional AROs will be initially recognized in the period in which sufficient information exists to estimate their fair value.

Components_of_Accumulated_othe

Components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Defined benefit plan liabilities	$	(139,426	)	$	(153,225	)
	Equity in investee other comprehensive income (1)	(12,712		)	(12,712		)
	Unrealized loss on financial instruments	(1,017		)	(878		)
	Other comprehensive loss before income tax effect	(153,155		)	(166,815		)
	Income tax effect (2)	14,475			15,623
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(138,680	)	$	(151,192	)
	-1	The amount includes our equity in the other comprehensive income of Mt. Holly Aluminum Company.
	(2)The allocation of the income tax effect to the components of other comprehensive income is as follows:
		30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
	Defined benefit plan liabilities	$	14,663		$	15,784
	Equity in investee other comprehensive income	436			488
	Unrealized loss on financial instruments	(624		)	(649		)

Components_of_net_periodic_ben

Components of net periodic benefit cost	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'
Components of net periodic benefit cost	'
	Components of net periodic benefit cost
		Pension Benefits
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	1,686		$	701		$	3,292		$	2,102
	Interest cost	2,903			1,717			6,293			5,153
	Expected return on plan assets	(3,723		)	(1,740		)	(7,337		)	(5,222		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	30			34			85			103
	Amortization of net loss	723			910			2,428			2,731
	Curtailment	—			—			(18		)	—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,619		$	1,622		$	4,743		$	4,867
		Other Postretirement Benefits ("OPEB")
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	700		$	448		$	1,862		$	1,343
	Interest cost	1,474			1,378			4,230			4,135
	Amortization of prior service cost	(998		)	(1,063		)	(2,997		)	(3,188		)
	Amortization of net loss	1,157			1,652			3,934			4,956
	Curtailment	—			—			(20		)	—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,333		$	2,415		$	7,009		$	7,246
	Employer contributions
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we have made contributions of approximately $8,582 to the qualified defined benefit plans we sponsor.

Condensed_consolidating_financ

Condensed consolidating financial information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Condensed consolidating financial information	'
		Condensed consolidating financial information
	Our 7.5% senior unsecured notes due 2014 are guaranteed by each of our material existing and future domestic subsidiaries, except for Nordural US LLC. Each Guarantor Subsidiary is 100% owned by Century Aluminum Company (the "Company"). All guarantees are full and unconditional; all guarantees are joint and several. These notes are not guaranteed by our foreign subsidiaries (such subsidiaries and Nordural US LLC, collectively the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). We allocate corporate expenses or income to our subsidiaries and charge interest on certain intercompany balances.
	The following summarized condensed consolidating balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 and the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 present separate results for Century, the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, consolidating adjustments and total consolidated amounts.
	This summarized condensed consolidating financial information may not necessarily be indicative of the results of operations, financial position or cash flows had the Company, the Guarantor Subsidiaries or the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries operated as independent entities.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of September 30, 2013
		Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	64,366		$	76,435		$	—		$	140,801
	Restricted cash	790			2,483			—			—			3,273
	Accounts receivable — net	50,157			1,090			—			—			51,247
	Due from affiliates	610,588			39,991			2,339,683			(2,965,307		)	24,955
	Inventories	158,620			72,885			—			—			231,505
	Prepaid and other current assets	4,199			31,456			5,053			—			40,708
	Deferred taxes - current portion	—			19,726			—			(6		)	19,720
	Total current assets	824,354			231,997			2,421,171			(2,965,313		)	512,209
	Investment in subsidiaries	50,696			—			(959,581		)	908,885			—
	Property, plant and equipment — net	354,595			883,232			1,793			(419		)	1,239,201
	Due from affiliates – less current portion	—			30,479			—			(30,479		)	—
	Other assets	17,603			53,596			32,274			4,748			108,221
	Total	$	1,247,248		$	1,199,304		$	1,495,657		$	(2,082,578	)	$	1,859,631
	Liabilities:
	Accounts payable, trade	$	66,212		$	38,383		$	1,355		$	—		$	105,950
	Due to affiliates	2,161,803			135,587			202,075			(2,427,726		)	71,739
	Accrued and other current liabilities	39,678			13,678			17,638			1,927			72,921
	Accrued employee benefits costs	13,495			—			3,565			—			17,060
	Industrial revenue bonds	7,815			—			—			—			7,815
	Current portion of long-term debt	—			—			2,603			—			2,603
	Total current liabilities	2,289,003			187,648			227,236			(2,425,799		)	278,088
	Senior notes payable	—			—			246,442			—			246,442
	Revolving credit facility	—			—			16,725			—			16,725
	Accrued pension benefit costs — less current portion	29,188			—			30,536			—			59,724
	Accrued postretirement benefit costs — less current portion	137,388			—			6,637			—			144,025
	Other liabilities/intercompany loan	57,871			572,417			2,560			(595,664		)	37,184
	Deferred taxes	—			111,922			—			—			111,922
	Total noncurrent liabilities	224,447			684,339			302,900			(595,664		)	616,022
	Shareholders’ equity:
	Series A Preferred stock	—			—			1			—			1
	Common stock	60			12			935			(72		)	935
	Additional paid-in capital	370,467			169,493			2,508,456			(539,960		)	2,508,456
	Treasury stock, at cost	—			—			(49,924		)	—			(49,924		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(133,371		)	(1,640		)	(138,680		)	135,011			(138,680		)
	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(1,503,358		)	159,452			(1,355,267		)	1,343,906			(1,355,267		)
	Total shareholders’ equity	(1,266,202		)	327,317			965,521			938,885			965,521
	Total	$	1,247,248		$	1,199,304		$	1,495,657		$	(2,082,578	)	$	1,859,631
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of December 31, 2012
		Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	110,016		$	73,960		$	—		$	183,976
	Restricted cash	258			—			—			—			258
	Accounts receivable — net	38,328			12,339			—			—			50,667
	Due from affiliates	604,008			38,328			2,391,249			(2,995,715		)	37,870
	Inventories	97,847			62,078			—			—			159,925
	Prepaid and other current assets	4,421			30,650			8,063			(8,159		)	34,975
	Deferred taxes — current portion	—			17,799			—			1,927			19,726
	Total current assets	744,862			271,210			2,473,272			(3,001,947		)	487,397
	Investment in subsidiaries	40,335			—			(1,039,141		)	998,806			—
	Property, plant and equipment — net	313,090			874,559			916			(351		)	1,188,214
	Due from affiliates - less current portion	—			3,588			—			(3,588		)	—
	Other assets	17,616			45,474			37,027			598			100,715
	Total	$	1,115,903		$	1,194,831		$	1,472,074		$	(2,006,482	)	$	1,776,326
	Liabilities:
Accounts payable, trade	$	37,301		$	37,627		$	442		$	—		$	75,370
Due to affiliates	2,098,320			105,945			193,788			(2,358,316		)	39,737
Accrued and other current liabilities	13,031			31,332			1,967			(6,231		)	40,099
Accrued employee benefits costs	15,926			—			2,757			—			18,683
Industrial revenue bonds	7,815			—			—			—			7,815
Total current liabilities	2,172,393			174,904			198,954			(2,364,547		)	181,704
Senior notes payable	—			—			250,582			—			250,582
Accrued pension benefit costs — less current portion	36,087			—			31,791			—			67,878
Accrued postretirement benefit costs — less current portion	137,184			—			5,921			—			143,105
Other liabilities/intercompany loan	65,377			614,585			2,183			(641,983		)	40,162
Deferred taxes	—			109,011			—			1,241			110,252
Total noncurrent liabilities	238,648			723,596			290,477			(640,742		)	611,979
Shareholders’ equity:
Series A Preferred stock	—			—			1			—			1
Common stock	60			12			933			(72		)	933
Additional paid-in capital	303,659			150,743			2,507,454			(454,402		)	2,507,454
Treasury stock, at cost	—			—			(49,924		)	—			(49,924		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(146,862		)	(1,525		)	(151,192		)	148,387			(151,192		)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(1,451,995		)	147,101			(1,324,629		)	1,304,894			(1,324,629		)
Total shareholders’ equity	(1,295,138		)	296,331			982,643			998,807			982,643
Total	$	1,115,903		$	1,194,831		$	1,472,074		$	(2,006,482	)	$	1,776,326
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the three months ended September 30, 2013
	Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated
NET SALES:
Third-party customers	$	224,571		$	46,445		$	—		$	—		$	271,016
Related parties	71,399			57,513			—			—			128,912
	295,970			103,958			—			—			399,928
Cost of goods sold	303,521			84,053			—			—			387,574
Gross profit (loss)	(7,551		)	19,905			—			—			12,354
Other operating expenses – net	2,174			—			—			—			2,174
Selling, general and administrative expenses	10,585			3,837			—			—			14,422
Operating income (loss)	(20,310		)	16,068			—			—			(4,242		)
Interest expense – third party	(5,406		)	—			—			—			(5,406		)
Interest expense – affiliates	13,950			(13,950		)	—			—			—
Interest income – third party	4			137			—			—			141
Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	440			—			—			—			440
Other income (expense) - net	(25		)	238			—			—			213
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(11,347		)	2,493			—			—			(8,854		)
Income tax benefit (expense)	685			(2,069		)	—			—			(1,384		)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(10,662		)	424			—			—			(10,238		)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(3,108		)	731			(9,507		)	12,615			731
Net income (loss)	$	(13,770	)	$	1,155		$	(9,507	)	$	12,615		$	(9,507	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect	$	2,093		$	(46	)	$	866		$	(2,047	)	$	866
Income tax effect	(375		)	8			(383		)	367			(383		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,718			(38		)	483			(1,680		)	483
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(12,052	)	$	1,117		$	(9,024	)	$	10,935		$	(9,024	)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the three months ended September 30, 2012
	Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated
NET SALES:
Third-party customers	$	123,525		$	46,498		$	—		$	—		$	170,023
Related parties	75,590			59,022			—			—			134,612
	199,115			105,520			—			—			304,635
Cost of goods sold	210,417			90,968			—			—			301,385
Gross profit (loss)	(11,302		)	14,552			—			—			3,250
Other operating expenses – net	7,388			—			—			—			7,388
Selling, general and administrative expenses	7,530			1,652			—			—			9,182
Operating income (loss)	(26,220		)	12,900			—			—			(13,320		)
Interest expense – third party	(6,041		)	—			—			—			(6,041		)
Interest expense – affiliates	15,860			(15,860		)	—			—			—
Interest income – third party	4			68			—			—			72
Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	(340		)	—			—			—			(340		)
Other (income) expense – net	(48		)	7,696			—			—			7,648
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(16,785		)	4,804			—			—			(11,981		)
Income tax benefit (expense)	964			(2,132		)	—			—			(1,168		)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(15,821		)	2,672			—			—			(13,149		)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(638		)	1,126			(12,023		)	12,661			1,126
Net income (loss)	$	(16,459	)	$	3,798		$	(12,023	)	$	12,661		$	(12,023	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect	$	1,339		$	(47	)	$	1,556		$	(1,292	)	$	1,556
Income tax effect	(4		)	9			(382		)	(5		)	(382		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,335			(38		)	1,174			(1,297		)	1,174
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(15,124	)	$	3,760		$	(10,849	)	$	11,364		$	(10,849	)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated
NET SALES:
Third-party customers	$	535,655		$	144,825		$	—		$	—		$	680,480
Related parties	189,679			182,980			—			—			372,659
	725,334			327,805			—			—			1,053,139
Cost of goods sold	765,101			263,800			—			—			1,028,901
Gross profit (loss)	(39,767		)	64,005			—			—			24,238
Other operating expenses – net	6,288			—			—			—			6,288
Selling, general and administrative expenses	35,229			10,646			—			—			45,875
Operating income (loss)	(81,284		)	53,359			—			—			(27,925		)
Interest expense – third party	(17,706		)	—			—			—			(17,706		)
Interest expense – affiliates	42,967			(42,967		)	—			—			—
Interest income – third party	35			423			—			—			458
Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	16,151			—			—			—			16,151
Gain on bargain purchase	5,253			—			—			—			5,253
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(3,272		)	—			—			—			(3,272		)
Other expense – net	(34		)	(967		)	—			—			(1,001		)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(37,890		)	9,848			—			—			(28,042		)
Income tax benefit (expense)	(5,099		)	385			—			—			(4,714		)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(42,989		)	10,233			—			—			(32,756		)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(8,374		)	2,118			(30,638		)	39,012			2,118
Net income (loss)	$	(51,363	)	$	12,351		$	(30,638	)	$	39,012		$	(30,638	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect	$	13,183		$	(139	)	$	13,660		$	(13,044	)	$	13,660
Income tax effect	(1,123		)	25			(1,148		)	1,098			(1,148		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12,060			(114		)	12,512			(11,946		)	12,512
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(39,303	)	$	12,237		$	(18,126	)	$	27,066		$	(18,126	)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated
NET SALES:
Third-party customers	$	391,100		$	151,784		$	—		$	—		$	542,884
Related parties	226,589			184,971			—			—			411,560
	617,689			336,755			—			—			954,444
Cost of goods sold	640,650			283,995			—			—			924,645
Gross profit (loss)	(22,961		)	52,760			—			—			29,799
Other operating expense – net	14,926			—			—			—			14,926
Selling, general and administrative expenses	23,747			1,045			—			—			24,792
Operating income (loss)	(61,634		)	51,715			—			—			(9,919		)
Interest expense – third party	(17,966		)	—			—			—			(17,966		)
Interest expense – affiliates	48,108			(48,108		)	—			—			—
Interest income – third party	19			305			—			—			324
Interest income – related parties	—			62			—			—			62
Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	(4,049		)	—			—			—			(4,049		)
Other income – net	750			7,365			—			—			8,115
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(34,772		)	11,339			—			—			(23,433		)
Income tax benefit (expense)	279			(7,663		)	—			—			(7,384		)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(34,493		)	3,676			—			—			(30,817		)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(482		)	2,116			(28,701		)	29,183			2,116
Net income (loss)	$	(34,975	)	$	5,792		$	(28,701	)	$	29,183		$	(28,701	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect	$	4,141		$	(140	)	$	4,842		$	(4,001	)	$	4,842
Income tax effect	(605		)	26			(1,147		)	579			(1,147		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,536			(114		)	3,695			(3,422		)	3,695
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(31,439	)	$	5,678		$	(25,006	)	$	25,761		$	(25,006	)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	54,782		$	(12,324	)	$	—		$	42,458
Investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(10,400		)	(20,408		)	(1,186		)	(31,994		)
Nordural expansion — Helguvik	—			(2,855		)	—			(2,855		)
Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements	—			(8,519		)	—			(8,519		)
Purchase of Sebree smelter	—			—			(48,058		)	(48,058		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	10			505			—			515
Restricted and other cash deposits	(532		)	(2,483		)	—			(3,015		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(10,922		)	(33,760		)	(49,244		)	(93,926		)
Financing activities:
Repayment of debt	—			—			(249,604		)	(249,604		)
Proceeds from issuance of debt	—			—			246,330			246,330
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	—			—			16,725			16,725
Debt issuance costs	—			—			(3,994		)	(3,994		)
Debt retirement costs	—			—			(1,208		)	(1,208		)
Intercompany transactions	(43,860		)	434			43,426			—
Issuance of common stock — net	—			—			44			44
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(43,860		)	434			51,719			8,293
Change in cash and cash equivalents	—			(45,650		)	2,475			(43,175		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	—			110,016			73,960			183,976
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	—		$	64,366		$	76,435		$	140,801
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	11,824		$	9,261		$	—		$	21,085
Investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(4,102		)	(6,219		)	(78		)	(10,399		)
Nordural expansion — Helguvik	—			(5,474		)	—			(5,474		)
Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements	(14,185		)	—			—			(14,185		)
Investments in and advances to joint ventures	—			—			(275		)	(275		)
Dividends and payments received on advances to joint ventures	—			—			3,166			3,166
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			89			—			89
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(18,287		)	(11,604		)	2,813			(27,078		)
Financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	—			—			18,076			18,076
Repayments under revolving credit facility	—			—			(18,076		)	(18,076		)
Intercompany transactions	6,463			(18,822		)	12,359			—
Repurchase of common stock	—			—			(4,033		)	(4,033		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	6,463			(18,822		)	8,326			(4,033		)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	—			(21,165		)	11,139			(10,026		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	—			159,157			24,244			183,401
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	—		$	137,992		$	35,383		$	173,375

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent events	'
	Subsequent events
	We have evaluated all subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.
	Conditional WARN Notice issued to Sebree
	On November 1, 2013, Century Sebree issued a conditional notice to employees at the Sebree smelter of its intent to curtail all plant operations on January 31, 2014 if Century Sebree cannot secure a competitively priced power contract. Century Sebree is continuing to work with its power provider and regulatory agencies to obtain access to market-priced power prior to the termination of its current power contract on January 31, 2014. The conditional notice was made pursuant to the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act ("WARN"). The WARN notice specifies that the plant will be curtailed unless Century Sebree can gain access to competitively priced power.

Acquisition_of_Sebree_aluminum1

Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Purchase Price Allocation	'
	Purchase Price Allocation
	Allocating the purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities involves management judgment. We allocated the purchase price to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and the bargain gain in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805 "Business Combinations." Once it has been determined that recognition of an asset or liability in a business combination is appropriate, we measure the asset or liability at fair value in accordance with the principles of ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures." Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
	The determination of the fair value of certain intangible assets and/or liabilities requires management judgment in each of the following areas:
	•	Identifying the acquired intangible assets or liabilities. In the case of the Sebree acquisition, we assumed a power contract liability as the contracted power price was in excess of current market prices.
	•	Estimating the fair value of the intangible assets and/or liabilities. We consider various approaches to value the acquired intangible assets and/or liabilities. These valuation approaches include the cost approach, which measures the value of an asset based on the cost to reproduce it or replace it with a like asset; the market approach, which values the asset through an analysis of sales and offerings of comparable assets; and the income approach, which measures the value of an asset (or liability) by measuring the present worth of the economic benefits (or costs) it is expected to produce.

Fair_value_measurements_Level_

Fair value measurements Level 3 Transfers (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Level 3 Transfer Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Transfer, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	It is our policy to recognize transfers into and transfers out of Level 3 as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

Acquisition_of_Sebree_aluminum2

Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation	'
	The following table summarizes the preliminary estimates of fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
		Acquisition Date Estimated Fair Value as of June 1, 2013			Measurement Period Adjustments			Acquisition Date Estimated Fair Value as of September 30, 2013
	Consideration:
	Cash (1)	$	47,373		$	710		$	48,083
	Assets Acquired:
	Inventories	58,496			522			59,018
	Prepaid and other current assets	363			—			363
	Property, plant and equipment – net	55,520			—			55,520
	Total assets acquired	$	114,379		$	522		$	114,901
	Liabilities Assumed:
	Accrued and other current liabilities	$	44,121		$	(805	)	$	43,316
	Accrued pension benefit costs	5,039			(4,043		)	996
	Accrued post retirement benefit costs	6,544			—			6,544
	Other liabilities	8,003			(527		)	7,476
	Deferred taxes	1,257			1,976			3,233
	Total liabilities assumed	$	64,964		$	(3,399	)	$	61,565
	Gain on bargain purchase:	$	2,042		$	3,211		$	5,253
	-1	This amount represents our preliminary estimate of consideration based on our expectation of the working capital adjustments. The working capital adjustments have not yet been finalized.
Sebree Revenue and Net loss since Acquisition Date	'
	Through September 30, 2013, the actual revenue and net loss of Sebree since the acquisition date of June 1, 2013 included in the consolidated statement of operations is as follows:
		Three months ended September 30, 2013			Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Sebree revenue	$	101,531		$	140,284
	Sebree net loss	(1,800		)	(2,044		)
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	'
	The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 reflects our results of continuing operations as if the acquisition of Sebree had been completed on January 1, 2012. This unaudited pro forma financial information is provided for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations would have been had the transactions taken place on January 1, 2012, nor is it indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of the combined companies.
		Three months ended September 30,			Nine months ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012
	Pro forma revenues	$	410,009		$	1,261,533		$	1,300,869
	Pro forma loss from continuing operations	(12,620		)	(57,853		)	(16,951		)
	Loss per common share, basic	(0.14		)	(0.65		)	(0.19		)
	Loss per common share, diluted	(0.14		)	(0.65		)	(0.19		)

Fair_value_measurements_Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of valuation methodology used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value	'
	The following section describes the valuation methodology used to measure our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value and are categorized based on the fair value hierarchy described in ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurements."
	Overview of Century’s valuation methodology
		Level	Significant inputs
	Cash equivalents	1	Quoted market prices
	Trust assets (1)	1	Quoted market prices
	Surety bonds	1	Quoted market prices
	E.ON U.S. (“E.ON”) contingent obligation	3	Quoted LME forward market, management’s estimates of the LME forward market prices for periods beyond the quoted periods and management’s estimate of future level of operations at Century Aluminum of Kentucky, our wholly owned subsidiary (“CAKY”)
	Primary aluminum sales premium contracts	3	Management’s estimates of future U.S. Midwest premium and risk-adjusted discount rates
	Midwest premium contracts	3	Management’s estimates of future U.S. Midwest premium
	-1	Trust assets are currently invested in money market funds. These trust assets are held to fund the non-qualified supplemental executive pension benefit obligations for certain of our officers. The trust has sole authority to invest the funds in secure interest producing investments consisting of short-term securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or cash and cash equivalents.
Financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The following table sets forth our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis by the level of input within the ASC 820 fair value hierarchy.  As required by GAAP for fair value measurements and disclosures, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and the placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2 during the periods presented. There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the periods presented below. It is our policy to recognize transfers into and transfers out of Level 3 as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements	As of September 30, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	ASSETS:
	Cash equivalents	$	119,183		$	—		$	—	$	119,183
	Trust assets (1)	11,588			—			—		11,588
	Surety bonds	1,574			—			—		1,574
	Midwest premium contracts	—			—			363		363
	TOTAL	$	132,345		$	—		$	363	$	132,708
	LIABILITIES:
	E.ON contingent obligation – net (2)	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
	Primary aluminum sales contract	—			—			771		771
	TOTAL	$	—		$	—		$	771	$	771
	-1	Trust assets are currently invested in money market funds.
	-2	Based on the LME forward market prices for primary aluminum at September 30, 2013 and management's estimate of the LME forward market for periods beyond the quoted periods, we believe that we will not have any payment obligations for the E.ON contingent obligation through the term of the agreement which expires in 2028. See Note 10 Debt for additional information about the E.ON contingent obligation fair value.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements	As of December 31, 2012
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	ASSETS:
	Cash equivalents	$	168,309		$	—		$	—	$	168,309
	Trust assets (1)	14,254			—			—		14,254
	Surety bonds	2,123			—			—		2,123
	TOTAL	$	184,686		$	—		$	—	$	184,686
	LIABILITIES:
	E.ON contingent obligation – net	$	—		$	—		$	15,369	$	15,369
	Primary aluminum sales contract	—			—			1,170		1,170
	TOTAL	$	—		$	—		$	16,539	$	16,539
	-1	Trust assets are currently invested in money market funds.
Change in level 3 fair value measurements	'
	Change in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements during the three months ended September 30,
		Derivative liabilities - net
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance, July 1,	$	(773	)	$	(16,024	)
	Total gain (loss) included in earnings	365			(371		)
	Ending balance, September 30,	$	(408	)	$	(16,395	)
	Amount of gain (loss) included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets and liabilities held at September 30,	$	365		$	(371	)
	Change in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements during the nine months ended September 30,
		Derivative liabilities - net
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance, January 1,	$	(16,539	)	$	(14,760	)
	Total gain (loss) included in earnings	16,131			(1,529		)
	Settlements	—			(106		)
	Ending balance, September 30,	$	(408	)	$	(16,395	)
	Amount of gain (loss) included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets and liabilities held at September 30,	$	16,131		$	(1,529	)

Derivative_and_hedging_instrum1

Derivative and hedging instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Fair value of derivative assets and liabilities by balance sheet location	'
	The following table provides the fair value and balance sheet classification of our derivatives:
	Fair Value of Derivatives
		Balance sheet location	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	DERIVATIVE ASSETS:
	Midwest premium contracts (1)	Prepaid and other current assets	$	363		$	—
	TOTAL		$	363		$	—
	DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES:
	Aluminum sales premium contracts	Accrued and other current liabilities	$	771		$	1,170
	E.ON contingent obligation – net (2)	Other liabilities	—			15,369
	TOTAL		$	771		$	16,539
	-1	We entered into a fixed-price forward contract that settles monthly from January 2014 to March 2014 based on the Midwest Premium price published in the Platts Metals Week for the applicable period.
	-2	Based on the LME forward market prices for primary aluminum at September 30, 2013 and management's estimate of the LME forward market for periods beyond the quoted periods, we believe that we will not have any payment obligations for the E.ON contingent obligation through the term of the agreement which expires in 2028. See Note 10 Debt for additional information about the E.ON contingent obligation fair value.
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	'
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
		Gain (loss) recognized in income from derivatives
			Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		Location	2013			2012			2013			2012
	E.ON contingent obligation – net	Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts	$	353		$	—		$	16,428		$	—
	Midwest premium contracts	Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts	363			—			363			—
	Primary aluminum put option contracts	Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts	—			—			—			(2,725		)
	Aluminum sales premium contracts	Related party sales	278			386			1,039			917
	Aluminum sales premium contracts	Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts	(276		)	(404		)	(640		)	(1,389		)
	E.ON contingent obligation – net	Interest expense - third party	(353		)	(353		)	(1,059		)	(1,059		)
Outstanding forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments	'
	We had the following outstanding forward contracts that were entered into that were not designated as hedging instruments:
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Primary aluminum sales contract premium (metric tons) (1)	5,993		20,400
	Midwest premium contracts (metric tons)	6,000		—
	-1	Represents the remaining physical deliveries under the Glencore Metal Agreement.

Earnings_per_share_Tables

Earnings per share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share	'
	The following table shows the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
		For the three months ended September 30,
		2013								2012
		Loss			Shares (000)		Per-Share			Loss			Shares (000)	Per-Share
	Net loss	$	(9,507	)						$	(12,023	)
	Amount allocated to common shareholders (1)	100		%						100		%
	Basic EPS:
	Loss allocable to common shareholders	(9,507		)	88,611		$	(0.11	)	(12,023		)	88,468	$	(0.14	)
	Diluted EPS:
	Loss applicable to common shareholders with assumed conversion	$	(9,507	)	88,611		$	(0.11	)	$	(12,023	)	88,468	$	(0.14	)
		For the nine months ended September 30,
		2013								2012
		Loss			Shares (000)		Per-Share			Loss			Shares (000)	Per-Share
	Net loss	$	(30,638	)						$	(28,701	)
	Amount allocated to common shareholders (1)	100		%						100		%
	Basic EPS:
	Loss allocable to common shareholders	(30,638		)	88,588		$	(0.35	)	(28,701		)	88,549	$	(0.32	)
	Diluted EPS:
	Loss applicable to common shareholders with assumed conversion	$	(30,638	)	88,588		$	(0.35	)	$	(28,701	)	88,549	$	(0.32	)
	-1	We have not allocated net losses between common and preferred shareholders, as the holders of our preferred shares do not have a contractual obligation to share in the loss.
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings per Share	'
	Antidilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS:	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Stock options (1)	620,334		626,334		620,334		626,334
	Service-based share awards (1)	573,628		406,070		522,032		382,462
	-1	In periods when we report a net loss, all share awards are excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average stock outstanding because of their antidilutive effect on earnings (loss) per share.

Shareholders_equity_Tables

Shareholders’ equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stockholders Equity	'
	See Common and Preferred Stock Activity table below for additional information about preferred stock conversions during the period.
	Common and Preferred Stock Activity:	Preferred stock		Common stock
		Series A convertible		Treasury	Outstanding
	Beginning balance as of December 31, 2012	80,283		4,786,521	88,548,637
	Conversion of convertible preferred stock	(549	)	—	54,825
	Issuance for stock compensation plans	—		—	79,469
	Ending balance as of September 30, 2013	79,734		4,786,521	88,682,931

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventories	'
	Inventories consist of the following:	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Raw materials	$	68,091	$	40,725
	Work-in-process	22,286		15,259
	Finished goods	12,834		9,753
	Operating and other supplies	128,294		94,188
	Inventories (1)	$	231,505	$	159,925
	-1	The balance at September 30, 2013 includes inventory maintained at the recently acquired Sebree smelter. See Note 2 Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter for additional information about the Sebree acquisition.

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Debt	'
	The following table provides information about the balance sheet location and gross amounts offset:
	Offsetting of financial instruments and derivatives
		Balance sheet location	30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
	E.ON contingent obligation – principal	Other liabilities	$	(12,902	)	$	(12,902	)
	E.ON contingent obligation – accrued interest	Other liabilities	(3,526		)	(2,467		)
	E.ON contingent obligation – derivative asset	Other liabilities	16,428			—
			$	—		$	(15,369	)
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Debt classified as current liabilities:
	Hancock County industrial revenue bonds ("IRBs") due 2028, interest payable quarterly (variable interest rates (not to exceed 12%)) (1)	$	7,815		$	7,815
	7.5% senior unsecured notes payable due August 15, 2014, interest payable semiannually	2,603			—
	Debt classified as non-current liabilities:
	7.5% senior secured notes payable due June 1, 2021, net of debt discount of $3,558, interest payable semiannually	246,442			—
	8.0% senior secured notes payable due May 15, 2014, net of debt discount of $1,625, interest payable semiannually	—			247,979
	7.5% senior unsecured notes payable due August 15, 2014, interest payable semiannually	—			2,603
	E.ON contingent obligation, principal and accrued interest, contingently payable monthly, annual interest rate of 10.94% (2)	—			15,369
	Revolving credit facility (3)	16,725			—
	TOTAL	$	273,585		$	273,766
	-1	The IRBs are classified as current liabilities because they are remarketed weekly and could be required to be repaid upon demand if there is a failed remarketing. The IRB interest rate at September 30, 2013 was 0.27%.
	-2	E.ON contingent obligation principal and interest payments are payable based on CAKY’s operating level and the LME price for primary aluminum. See E.ON contingent obligation below and Note 4 Fair value measurements for additional information.
	-3	Borrowings under the revolving line of credit bear interest, at our option, at LIBOR or a base rate, plus, in each case, an applicable interest margin.  The applicable interest margin is determined based on the average daily availability for the immediately preceding quarter.
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities	'
	Status of our Credit Facility:
		September 30, 2013
	Credit Facility maximum amount	$	137,500
	Borrowing availability, net of outstanding letters of credit	44,255
	Outstanding borrowings	16,725
	Letter of credit sub-facility amount	80,000
	Outstanding letters of credit issued	70,545
Debt Instrument Redemption Rights	'
	Redemption Rights.  Prior to June 1, 2016, we may redeem the 7.5% Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium, and if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of the years indicated below, at the following redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid interest:
	Year	Percentage
	2016	105.62%
	2017	103.75%
	2018	101.88%
	2019 and thereafter	100.00%

Forward_delivery_contracts_and1

Forward delivery contracts and financial instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Forward Delivery Contracts and Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Forward Physical Delivery Agreements	'
	Forward Physical Delivery Agreements
	Primary Aluminum Sales Contracts
	Contract	Customer	Volume	Term	Pricing
	Glencore Metal Agreement (1)	Glencore	20,400 metric tons per year ("mtpy")	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market
	Glencore Sweep Agreement (2)	Glencore	Surplus primary aluminum produced in the United States	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market
	Glencore Nordural Metal Agreement	Glencore	Approximately 19,000 metric tons	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on LME
	Southwire Metal Agreement (3)	Southwire	220 to 240 million pounds per year (high conductivity molten aluminum)	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market
	RTA Metal Agreement	Rio Tinto Alcan	Approximately 111,000 metric tons	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market
	-1	We account for the Glencore Metal Agreement as a derivative instrument under ASC 815. Under the Glencore Metal Agreement, pricing is based on then-current Midwest market prices, adjusted by a negotiated U.S. Midwest premium with a cap and a floor as applied to the current U.S. Midwest premium.
	-2	The Glencore Sweep Agreement is for all metal produced in the U.S. in 2013, less existing sales agreements and high-purity metal sales. The term of the contract may be extended for one year upon mutual agreement.
	-3	The Southwire Metal Agreement contains termination rights in the event of a partial or full curtailment of the Hawesville facility. Despite reaching power agreements, certain regulatory approvals have not yet been received and CAKY could curtail all smelter operations if these approvals are not ultimately received.
	Tolling Contracts
	Contract	Customer	Volume	Term	Pricing
	Billiton Tolling Agreement (1)	BHP Billiton	130,000 mtpy	Through December 31, 2013	LME-based
	Glencore Toll Agreement (1)	Glencore	90,000 mtpy	Through July 31, 2016	LME-based
	Glencore Toll Agreement (1)	Glencore	40,000 mtpy	Through December 31, 2014	LME-based
	-1	Grundartangi’s tolling revenues include a premium based on the European Union (“EU”) import duty for primary aluminum.
	Apart from the Glencore Metal Agreement, the Glencore Sweep Agreement, the Glencore Nordural Metal Agreement, the Southwire Metal Agreement and the RTA Metal Agreement, we had the following forward delivery contractual commitments:
	Other forward delivery contracts
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
		(in metric tons)
	Other forward delivery contracts – total	32,994		88,827
	Other forward delivery contracts – Glencore	1,775		1,811

Supplemental_cash_flow_informa1

Supplemental cash flow information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013		2012
	Cash paid for:
	Interest	$	11,293	$	10,220
	Income/withholding taxes (1)	27,254		33,625
	Non-cash investing activities:
	Accrued capital costs	$	4,034	$	935
	-1	We paid withholding taxes in Iceland of $18,067 and $22,633 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our tax payments in Iceland for withholding taxes, income taxes and associated refunds are denominated in Icelandic kronur ("ISK"). We expect to receive refunds of the withholding tax payments in the fourth quarters of 2013 and 2014. See Note 18 Subsequent events for additional information about withholding tax refunds.

Asset_retirement_obligations_A1

Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	The reconciliation of the changes in the asset retirement obligations is presented below:
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013			Year ended December 31, 2012
	Beginning balance, ARO liability	$	16,124		$	15,171
	Additional ARO liability incurred	1,648			1,166
	ARO liabilities settled	(1,493		)	(1,380		)
	Accretion expense	1,334			1,167
	Additional ARO liability from Sebree acquisition	10,106			—
	Ending balance, ARO liability	$	27,719		$	16,124

Components_of_Accumulated_othe1

Components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Defined benefit plan liabilities	$	(139,426	)	$	(153,225	)
	Equity in investee other comprehensive income (1)	(12,712		)	(12,712		)
	Unrealized loss on financial instruments	(1,017		)	(878		)
	Other comprehensive loss before income tax effect	(153,155		)	(166,815		)
	Income tax effect (2)	14,475			15,623
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(138,680	)	$	(151,192	)
	-1	The amount includes our equity in the other comprehensive income of Mt. Holly Aluminum Company.
	(2)The allocation of the income tax effect to the components of other comprehensive income is as follows:
		30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
	Defined benefit plan liabilities	$	14,663		$	15,784
	Equity in investee other comprehensive income	436			488
	Unrealized loss on financial instruments	(624		)	(649		)

Components_of_net_periodic_ben1

Components of net periodic benefit cost (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	'
		Pension Benefits
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	1,686		$	701		$	3,292		$	2,102
	Interest cost	2,903			1,717			6,293			5,153
	Expected return on plan assets	(3,723		)	(1,740		)	(7,337		)	(5,222		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	30			34			85			103
	Amortization of net loss	723			910			2,428			2,731
	Curtailment	—			—			(18		)	—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,619		$	1,622		$	4,743		$	4,867
		Other Postretirement Benefits ("OPEB")
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	700		$	448		$	1,862		$	1,343
	Interest cost	1,474			1,378			4,230			4,135
	Amortization of prior service cost	(998		)	(1,063		)	(2,997		)	(3,188		)
	Amortization of net loss	1,157			1,652			3,934			4,956
	Curtailment	—			—			(20		)	—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,333		$	2,415		$	7,009		$	7,246

Condensed_consolidating_financ1

Condensed consolidating financial information (Tables)	3 Months Ended																																9 Months Ended																																12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013																Sep. 30, 2012																Sep. 30, 2013																Sep. 30, 2012																Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]	'																'																'																'																'
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'																'																'																'																'
																																	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET																																CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
																																	As of September 30, 2013																																As of December 31, 2012
																																		Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated																				Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated
																																	Assets:																																Assets:
																																	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	64,366		$	76,435		$	—		$	140,801																		Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	110,016		$	73,960		$	—		$	183,976
																																	Restricted cash	790			2,483			—			—			3,273																			Restricted cash	258			—			—			—			258
																																	Accounts receivable — net	50,157			1,090			—			—			51,247																			Accounts receivable — net	38,328			12,339			—			—			50,667
																																	Due from affiliates	610,588			39,991			2,339,683			(2,965,307		)	24,955																			Due from affiliates	604,008			38,328			2,391,249			(2,995,715		)	37,870
																																	Inventories	158,620			72,885			—			—			231,505																			Inventories	97,847			62,078			—			—			159,925
																																	Prepaid and other current assets	4,199			31,456			5,053			—			40,708																			Prepaid and other current assets	4,421			30,650			8,063			(8,159		)	34,975
																																	Deferred taxes - current portion	—			19,726			—			(6		)	19,720																			Deferred taxes — current portion	—			17,799			—			1,927			19,726
																																	Total current assets	824,354			231,997			2,421,171			(2,965,313		)	512,209																			Total current assets	744,862			271,210			2,473,272			(3,001,947		)	487,397
																																	Investment in subsidiaries	50,696			—			(959,581		)	908,885			—																			Investment in subsidiaries	40,335			—			(1,039,141		)	998,806			—
																																	Property, plant and equipment — net	354,595			883,232			1,793			(419		)	1,239,201																			Property, plant and equipment — net	313,090			874,559			916			(351		)	1,188,214
																																	Due from affiliates – less current portion	—			30,479			—			(30,479		)	—																			Due from affiliates - less current portion	—			3,588			—			(3,588		)	—
																																	Other assets	17,603			53,596			32,274			4,748			108,221																			Other assets	17,616			45,474			37,027			598			100,715
																																	Total	$	1,247,248		$	1,199,304		$	1,495,657		$	(2,082,578	)	$	1,859,631																		Total	$	1,115,903		$	1,194,831		$	1,472,074		$	(2,006,482	)	$	1,776,326
																																	Liabilities:																																Liabilities:
																																	Accounts payable, trade	$	66,212		$	38,383		$	1,355		$	—		$	105,950																		Accounts payable, trade	$	37,301		$	37,627		$	442		$	—		$	75,370
																																	Due to affiliates	2,161,803			135,587			202,075			(2,427,726		)	71,739																			Due to affiliates	2,098,320			105,945			193,788			(2,358,316		)	39,737
																																	Accrued and other current liabilities	39,678			13,678			17,638			1,927			72,921																			Accrued and other current liabilities	13,031			31,332			1,967			(6,231		)	40,099
																																	Accrued employee benefits costs	13,495			—			3,565			—			17,060																			Accrued employee benefits costs	15,926			—			2,757			—			18,683
																																	Industrial revenue bonds	7,815			—			—			—			7,815																			Industrial revenue bonds	7,815			—			—			—			7,815
																																	Current portion of long-term debt	—			—			2,603			—			2,603																			Total current liabilities	2,172,393			174,904			198,954			(2,364,547		)	181,704
																																	Total current liabilities	2,289,003			187,648			227,236			(2,425,799		)	278,088																			Senior notes payable	—			—			250,582			—			250,582
																																	Senior notes payable	—			—			246,442			—			246,442																			Accrued pension benefit costs — less current portion	36,087			—			31,791			—			67,878
																																	Revolving credit facility	—			—			16,725			—			16,725																			Accrued postretirement benefit costs — less current portion	137,184			—			5,921			—			143,105
																																	Accrued pension benefit costs — less current portion	29,188			—			30,536			—			59,724																			Other liabilities/intercompany loan	65,377			614,585			2,183			(641,983		)	40,162
																																	Accrued postretirement benefit costs — less current portion	137,388			—			6,637			—			144,025																			Deferred taxes	—			109,011			—			1,241			110,252
																																	Other liabilities/intercompany loan	57,871			572,417			2,560			(595,664		)	37,184																			Total noncurrent liabilities	238,648			723,596			290,477			(640,742		)	611,979
																																	Deferred taxes	—			111,922			—			—			111,922																			Shareholders’ equity:
																																																																	Series A Preferred stock	—			—			1			—			1
																																	Total noncurrent liabilities	224,447			684,339			302,900			(595,664		)	616,022
																																																																	Common stock	60			12			933			(72		)	933
																																	Shareholders’ equity:
																																																																	Additional paid-in capital	303,659			150,743			2,507,454			(454,402		)	2,507,454
																																	Series A Preferred stock	—			—			1			—			1
																																																																	Treasury stock, at cost	—			—			(49,924		)	—			(49,924		)
																																	Common stock	60			12			935			(72		)	935
																																																																	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(146,862		)	(1,525		)	(151,192		)	148,387			(151,192		)
																																	Additional paid-in capital	370,467			169,493			2,508,456			(539,960		)	2,508,456
																																																																	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(1,451,995		)	147,101			(1,324,629		)	1,304,894			(1,324,629		)
																																	Treasury stock, at cost	—			—			(49,924		)	—			(49,924		)
																																																																	Total shareholders’ equity	(1,295,138		)	296,331			982,643			998,807			982,643
																																	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(133,371		)	(1,640		)	(138,680		)	135,011			(138,680		)
																																																																	Total	$	1,115,903		$	1,194,831		$	1,472,074		$	(2,006,482	)	$	1,776,326
																																	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(1,503,358		)	159,452			(1,355,267		)	1,343,906			(1,355,267		)
																																	Total shareholders’ equity	(1,266,202		)	327,317			965,521			938,885			965,521
																																	Total	$	1,247,248		$	1,199,304		$	1,495,657		$	(2,082,578	)	$	1,859,631
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'																'																'																'																'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)																CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)																CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)																CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013																For the three months ended September 30, 2012																For the nine months ended September 30, 2013																For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated				Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated				Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated				Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated
	NET SALES:																NET SALES:																NET SALES:																NET SALES:
	Third-party customers	$	224,571		$	46,445		$	—		$	—		$	271,016		Third-party customers	$	123,525		$	46,498		$	—		$	—		$	170,023		Third-party customers	$	535,655		$	144,825		$	—		$	—		$	680,480		Third-party customers	$	535,655		$	144,825		$	—		$	—		$	680,480
	Related parties	71,399			57,513			—			—			128,912			Related parties	75,590			59,022			—			—			134,612			Related parties	189,679			182,980			—			—			372,659			Related parties	189,679			182,980			—			—			372,659
		295,970			103,958			—			—			399,928				199,115			105,520			—			—			304,635				725,334			327,805			—			—			1,053,139				725,334			327,805			—			—			1,053,139
	Cost of goods sold	303,521			84,053			—			—			387,574			Cost of goods sold	210,417			90,968			—			—			301,385			Cost of goods sold	765,101			263,800			—			—			1,028,901			Cost of goods sold	765,101			263,800			—			—			1,028,901
	Gross profit (loss)	(7,551		)	19,905			—			—			12,354			Gross profit (loss)	(11,302		)	14,552			—			—			3,250			Gross profit (loss)	(39,767		)	64,005			—			—			24,238			Gross profit (loss)	(39,767		)	64,005			—			—			24,238
	Other operating expenses – net	2,174			—			—			—			2,174			Other operating expenses – net	7,388			—			—			—			7,388			Other operating expenses – net	6,288			—			—			—			6,288			Other operating expenses – net	6,288			—			—			—			6,288
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	10,585			3,837			—			—			14,422			Selling, general and administrative expenses	7,530			1,652			—			—			9,182			Selling, general and administrative expenses	35,229			10,646			—			—			45,875			Selling, general and administrative expenses	35,229			10,646			—			—			45,875
	Operating income (loss)	(20,310		)	16,068			—			—			(4,242		)	Operating income (loss)	(26,220		)	12,900			—			—			(13,320		)	Operating income (loss)	(81,284		)	53,359			—			—			(27,925		)	Operating income (loss)	(81,284		)	53,359			—			—			(27,925		)
	Interest expense – third party	(5,406		)	—			—			—			(5,406		)	Interest expense – third party	(6,041		)	—			—			—			(6,041		)	Interest expense – third party	(17,706		)	—			—			—			(17,706		)	Interest expense – third party	(17,706		)	—			—			—			(17,706		)
	Interest expense – affiliates	13,950			(13,950		)	—			—			—			Interest expense – affiliates	15,860			(15,860		)	—			—			—			Interest expense – affiliates	42,967			(42,967		)	—			—			—			Interest expense – affiliates	42,967			(42,967		)	—			—			—
	Interest income – third party	4			137			—			—			141			Interest income – third party	4			68			—			—			72			Interest income – third party	35			423			—			—			458			Interest income – third party	35			423			—			—			458
	Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	440			—			—			—			440			Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	(340		)	—			—			—			(340		)	Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	16,151			—			—			—			16,151			Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	16,151			—			—			—			16,151
	Other income (expense) - net	(25		)	238			—			—			213			Other (income) expense – net	(48		)	7,696			—			—			7,648			Gain on bargain purchase	5,253			—			—			—			5,253			Gain on bargain purchase	5,253			—			—			—			5,253
	Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(11,347		)	2,493			—			—			(8,854		)	Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(16,785		)	4,804			—			—			(11,981		)	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(3,272		)	—			—			—			(3,272		)	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(3,272		)	—			—			—			(3,272		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	685			(2,069		)	—			—			(1,384		)	Income tax benefit (expense)	964			(2,132		)	—			—			(1,168		)	Other expense – net	(34		)	(967		)	—			—			(1,001		)	Other expense – net	(34		)	(967		)	—			—			(1,001		)
	Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(10,662		)	424			—			—			(10,238		)	Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(15,821		)	2,672			—			—			(13,149		)	Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(37,890		)	9,848			—			—			(28,042		)	Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(37,890		)	9,848			—			—			(28,042		)
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(3,108		)	731			(9,507		)	12,615			731			Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(638		)	1,126			(12,023		)	12,661			1,126			Income tax benefit (expense)	(5,099		)	385			—			—			(4,714		)	Income tax benefit (expense)	(5,099		)	385			—			—			(4,714		)
	Net income (loss)	$	(13,770	)	$	1,155		$	(9,507	)	$	12,615		$	(9,507	)	Net income (loss)	$	(16,459	)	$	3,798		$	(12,023	)	$	12,661		$	(12,023	)	Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(42,989		)	10,233			—			—			(32,756		)	Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(42,989		)	10,233			—			—			(32,756		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect	$	2,093		$	(46	)	$	866		$	(2,047	)	$	866		Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect	$	1,339		$	(47	)	$	1,556		$	(1,292	)	$	1,556		Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(8,374		)	2,118			(30,638		)	39,012			2,118			Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(8,374		)	2,118			(30,638		)	39,012			2,118
	Income tax effect	(375		)	8			(383		)	367			(383		)	Income tax effect	(4		)	9			(382		)	(5		)	(382		)	Net income (loss)	$	(51,363	)	$	12,351		$	(30,638	)	$	39,012		$	(30,638	)	Net income (loss)	$	(51,363	)	$	12,351		$	(30,638	)	$	39,012		$	(30,638	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,718			(38		)	483			(1,680		)	483			Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,335			(38		)	1,174			(1,297		)	1,174			Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect	$	13,183		$	(139	)	$	13,660		$	(13,044	)	$	13,660		Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect	$	13,183		$	(139	)	$	13,660		$	(13,044	)	$	13,660
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(12,052	)	$	1,117		$	(9,024	)	$	10,935		$	(9,024	)	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(15,124	)	$	3,760		$	(10,849	)	$	11,364		$	(10,849	)	Income tax effect	(1,123		)	25			(1,148		)	1,098			(1,148		)	Income tax effect	(1,123		)	25			(1,148		)	1,098			(1,148		)
																																	Other comprehensive income (loss)	12,060			(114		)	12,512			(11,946		)	12,512			Other comprehensive income (loss)	12,060			(114		)	12,512			(11,946		)	12,512
																																	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(39,303	)	$	12,237		$	(18,126	)	$	27,066		$	(18,126	)	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(39,303	)	$	12,237		$	(18,126	)	$	27,066		$	(18,126	)
																																																	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
																																																	For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
																																																		Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Reclassifications and Eliminations			Consolidated
																																																	NET SALES:
																																																	Third-party customers	$	391,100		$	151,784		$	—		$	—		$	542,884
																																																	Related parties	226,589			184,971			—			—			411,560
																																																		617,689			336,755			—			—			954,444
																																																	Cost of goods sold	640,650			283,995			—			—			924,645
																																																	Gross profit (loss)	(22,961		)	52,760			—			—			29,799
																																																	Other operating expense – net	14,926			—			—			—			14,926
																																																	Selling, general and administrative expenses	23,747			1,045			—			—			24,792
																																																	Operating income (loss)	(61,634		)	51,715			—			—			(9,919		)
																																																	Interest expense – third party	(17,966		)	—			—			—			(17,966		)
																																																	Interest expense – affiliates	48,108			(48,108		)	—			—			—
																																																	Interest income – third party	19			305			—			—			324
																																																	Interest income – related parties	—			62			—			—			62
																																																	Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	(4,049		)	—			—			—			(4,049		)
																																																	Other income – net	750			7,365			—			—			8,115
																																																	Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(34,772		)	11,339			—			—			(23,433		)
																																																	Income tax benefit (expense)	279			(7,663		)	—			—			(7,384		)
																																																	Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(34,493		)	3,676			—			—			(30,817		)
																																																	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(482		)	2,116			(28,701		)	29,183			2,116
																																																	Net income (loss)	$	(34,975	)	$	5,792		$	(28,701	)	$	29,183		$	(28,701	)
																																																	Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect	$	4,141		$	(140	)	$	4,842		$	(4,001	)	$	4,842
																																																	Income tax effect	(605		)	26			(1,147		)	579			(1,147		)
																																																	Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,536			(114		)	3,695			(3,422		)	3,695
																																																	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(31,439	)	$	5,678		$	(25,006	)	$	25,761		$	(25,006	)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'																'																'																'																'
																																	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
																																	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013																CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
																																		Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Consolidated						For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
																																	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	54,782		$	(12,324	)	$	—		$	42,458						Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries			Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			The Company			Consolidated
																																																	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	11,824		$	9,261		$	—		$	21,085
																																	Investing activities:
																																																	Investing activities:
																																	Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(10,400		)	(20,408		)	(1,186		)	(31,994		)
																																	Nordural expansion — Helguvik	—			(2,855		)	—			(2,855		)				Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(4,102		)	(6,219		)	(78		)	(10,399		)
																																																	Nordural expansion — Helguvik	—			(5,474		)	—			(5,474		)
																																	Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements	—			(8,519		)	—			(8,519		)
																																																	Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements	(14,185		)	—			—			(14,185		)
																																	Purchase of Sebree smelter	—			—			(48,058		)	(48,058		)
																																																	Investments in and advances to joint ventures	—			—			(275		)	(275		)
																																	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	10			505			—			515
																																																	Dividends and payments received on advances to joint ventures	—			—			3,166			3,166
																																	Restricted and other cash deposits	(532		)	(2,483		)	—			(3,015		)
																																																	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			89			—			89
																																	Net cash used in investing activities	(10,922		)	(33,760		)	(49,244		)	(93,926		)
																																	Financing activities:																Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(18,287		)	(11,604		)	2,813			(27,078		)
																																	Repayment of debt	—			—			(249,604		)	(249,604		)
																																																	Financing activities:
																																	Proceeds from issuance of debt	—			—			246,330			246,330
																																																	Borrowings under revolving credit facility	—			—			18,076			18,076
																																	Borrowings under revolving credit facility	—			—			16,725			16,725
																																																	Repayments under revolving credit facility	—			—			(18,076		)	(18,076		)
																																	Debt issuance costs	—			—			(3,994		)	(3,994		)
																																																	Intercompany transactions	6,463			(18,822		)	12,359			—
																																	Debt retirement costs	—			—			(1,208		)	(1,208		)
																																																	Repurchase of common stock	—			—			(4,033		)	(4,033		)
																																	Intercompany transactions	(43,860		)	434			43,426			—
																																																	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	6,463			(18,822		)	8,326			(4,033		)
																																	Issuance of common stock — net	—			—			44			44
																																																	Change in cash and cash equivalents	—			(21,165		)	11,139			(10,026		)
																																	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(43,860		)	434			51,719			8,293
																																																	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	—			159,157			24,244			183,401
																																	Change in cash and cash equivalents	—			(45,650		)	2,475			(43,175		)
																																																	Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	—		$	137,992		$	35,383		$	173,375
																																	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	—			110,016			73,960			183,976
																																	Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	—		$	64,366		$	76,435		$	140,801

Acquisition_of_Sebree_aluminum3

Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			4 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 01, 2013
										t
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'	'		'	'	'
Purchase price cash paid	'		'		'	'		$48,058	$0	'
Valuation allowance release related to deferred tax assets	'		'		'	'		2,090	'	'
Gain on bargain purchase	'		0		0	'		5,253	0	'
Sebree Smelter [Member]	'		'		'	'		'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'	'		'	'	'
Sebree Primary Aluminum Capacity	'		'		'	'		'	'	205,000
Purchase price for acquisition	'		'		'	'		'	'	61,000
Purchase price cash paid	'		'		'	'		48,000	'	'
Target working capital amount	'		'		'	'		'	'	71,000
Gain on bargain purchase	2,042		'		'	5,253		'	'	'
Gain on bargain purchase, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		3,211		'	'		'	'	'
Cash (1)	47,373	[1]	'		'	48,083	[1]	'	'	'
Cash, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		710	[1]	'	'		'	'	'
Inventories	'		59,018		'	59,018		59,018	'	58,496
Inventories, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		522		'	'		'	'	'
Prepaid and other current assets	'		363		'	363		363	'	363
Prepaid and other assets, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		0		'	'		'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment – net	'		55,520		'	55,520		55,520	'	55,520
Property, plant, and equipment - net, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		0		'	'		'	'	'
Total assets acquired	'		114,901		'	114,901		114,901	'	114,379
Total assets acquired, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		522		'	'		'	'	'
Accrued and other current liabilities	'		43,316		'	43,316		43,316	'	44,121
Accrued and other current liabilities, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		-805		'	'		'	'	'
Accrued pension benefit costs	'		996		'	996		996	'	5,039
Accrued pension benefit costs, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		-4,043		'	'		'	'	'
Accrued post retirement benefit costs	'		6,544		'	6,544		6,544	'	6,544
Accrued post retirement benefit costs, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		0		'	'		'	'	'
Other liabilities	'		7,476		'	7,476		7,476	'	8,003
Other liabilities, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		-527		'	'		'	'	'
Deferred taxes	'		3,233		'	3,233		3,233	'	1,257
Deferred taxes, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		1,976		'	'		'	'	'
Total liabilities assumed	'		61,565		'	61,565		61,565	'	64,964
Total liabilities, Measurement Period Adjustments	'		-3,399		'	'		'	'	'
Sebree revenue	'		101,531		'	'		140,284	'	'
Sebree net loss	'		-1,800		'	'		-2,044	'	'
Pro forma revenues	'		'		410,009	'		1,261,533	1,300,869	'
Pro forma loss from continuing operations	'		'		($12,620)	'		($57,853)	($16,951)	'
Loss per common share, basic	'		'		($0.14)	'		($0.65)	($0.19)	'
Loss per common share, diluted	'		'		($0.14)	'		($0.65)	($0.19)	'
[1]	This amount represents our preliminary estimate of consideration based on our expectation of the working capital adjustments. The working capital adjustments have not yet been finalized.

Acquisition_of_Sebree_aluminum4

Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter (Employee Headcount) (Details) (Sebree Smelter [Member])	Jun. 01, 2013
Sebree Smelter [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Entity Number of Employees	500

Asset_purchase_Details

Asset purchase (Details) (Carbon Anode Production Facility [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 11, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	t
Carbon Anode Production Facility [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Assets Acquired	'	$12,500
Century Vlissingen Anode capacity	75,000	'

Fair_value_measurements_Detail

Fair value measurements (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Derivative Liabilities - Net [Member]

Derivative Liabilities - Net [Member]

Derivative Liabilities - Net [Member]

Derivative Liabilities - Net [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

ASSETS:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash equivalents

'

'

'

'

$119,183

$168,309

$119,183

$168,309

$0

$0

$0

$0

Trust assets (1)

'

'

'

'

11,588

[1]

14,254

[1]

11,588

[1]

14,254

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

Surety bonds

'

'

'

'

1,574

2,123

1,574

2,123

0

0

0

0

Midwest premium contracts

'

'

'

'

363

'

0

'

0

'

363

'

TOTAL

'

'

'

'

132,708

184,686

132,345

184,686

0

0

363

0

LIABILITIES:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

E.ON contingent obligation – net (2)

'

'

'

'

0

[2]

15,369

0

[2]

0

0

[2]

0

0

[2]

15,369

Primary aluminum sales contract

'

'

'

'

771

1,170

0

0

0

0

771

1,170

TOTAL

'

'

'

'

771

16,539

0

0

0

0

771

16,539

Level 3 fair value measurements [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning balance, January 1,

-773

-16,024

-16,539

-14,760

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total gain (loss) included in earnings

365

-371

16,131

-1,529

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Settlements

0

0

0

-106

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending balance, September 30,

-408

-16,395

-408

-16,395

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of gain (loss) included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets and liabilities held at September 30,

$365

($371)

$16,131

($1,529)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Trust assets are currently invested in money market funds.

[2]

Based on the LME forward market prices for primary aluminum at September 30, 2013 and management's estimate of the LME forward market for periods beyond the quoted periods, we believe that we will not have any payment obligations for the E.ON contingent obligation through the term of the agreement which expires in 2028. See Note 10 Debt for additional information about the E.ON contingent obligation fair value.

Derivative_and_hedging_instrum2

Derivative and hedging instruments (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Midwest Premium Contracts [Member]

Midwest Premium Contracts [Member]

Midwest Premium Contracts [Member]

Midwest Premium Contracts [Member]

Aluminum Sales Premium Contract Current [Member]

Aluminum Sales Premium Contract Current [Member]

E.ON Contingent Obligation [Member]

E.ON Contingent Obligation [Member]

Primary Aluminum Sales Contract Premium [Member]

Primary Aluminum Sales Contract Premium [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Prepaid and Other Current Assets [Member]

Prepaid and Other Current Assets [Member]

Accrued and Other Current Liabilities [Member]

Accrued and Other Current Liabilities [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

t

t

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

t

t

Fair value of derivative assets and liabilities by balance sheet location [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

DERIVATIVE ASSETS

'

$363

$0

'

'

$363

[1]

$0

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES

'

771

16,539

'

'

'

'

771

1,170

0

[2]

15,369

[2]

'

'

Outstanding forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aluminum forward contract outstanding (in metric tons)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,993

[2]

20,400

[2]

Midwest premium contracts (in metric tons)

'

'

'

6,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated other comprehensive loss to be reclassified to earnings over the next 12-month period

$153

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

We entered into a fixed-price forward contract that settles monthly from January 2014 to March 2014 based on the Midwest Premium price published in the Platts Metals Week for the applicable period.

[2]

Represents the remaining physical deliveries under the Glencore Metal Agreement.

Derivative_and_hedging_instrum3

Derivative and hedging instruments Part 2 (Details) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
E.ON Contingent Obligation [Member] | Net Gain (Loss) on Forward Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in income from derivatives	$353	$0	$16,428	$0
E.ON Contingent Obligation [Member] | Interest Expense - Third Party [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in income from derivatives	-353	-353	-1,059	-1,059
Midwest Premium Contracts [Member] | Net Gain (Loss) on Forward Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in income from derivatives	363	0	363	0
Primary Aluminum Put Option Contracts [Member] | Net Gain (Loss) on Forward Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in income from derivatives	0	0	0	-2,725
Aluminum Sales Premium Contracts [Member] | Net Gain (Loss) on Forward Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in income from derivatives	-276	-404	-640	-1,389
Aluminum Sales Premium Contracts [Member] | Related Party Sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in income from derivatives	$278	$386	$1,039	$917

Earnings_per_share_Details

Earnings per share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net loss	($9,507)		($12,023)		($30,638)		($28,701)
Amount allocated to common shareholders (in hundredths)	100.00%	[1]	100.00%	[1]	100.00%		100.00%
Basic EPS:	'		'		'		'
Net loss allocated to common shareholders	-9,507		-12,023		-30,638		-28,701
Net loss allocable to common shareholders - (in Shares)	88,611,000		88,468,000		88,588,000		88,549,000
Earnings Per Share, Basic	($0.11)		($0.14)		($0.35)		($0.32)
Diluted EPS:	'		'		'		'
Net loss applicable to common shareholders with assumed conversion	($9,507)		($12,023)		($30,638)		($28,701)
Net loss applicable to common shareholders with assumed conversion - (in Shares)	88,611,000		88,468,000		88,588,000		88,549,000
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	($0.11)		($0.14)		($0.35)		($0.32)
Stock Options [Member]	'		'		'		'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Antidilutive securities excluded from calculation of diluted EPS (in shares)	620,334	[2]	626,334	[2]	620,334	[2]	626,334	[2]
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'		'		'		'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Antidilutive securities excluded from calculation of diluted EPS (in shares)	573,628	[2]	406,070	[2]	522,032	[2]	382,462	[2]
[1]	We have not allocated net losses between common and preferred shareholders, as the holders of our preferred shares do not have a contractual obligation to share in the loss.
[2]	In periods when we report a net loss, all share awards are excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average stock outstanding because of their antidilutive effect on earnings (loss) per share.

Shareholders_equity_Details

Shareholders’ equity (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	26 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	'	195,000,000	195,000,000	195,000,000
Stock repurchase program, Authorized Amount	$60,000	'	'	'
Number of shares Treasury stock acquired (in shares)	'	'	4,786,521	'
Treasury stock acquired, Aggregate purchase price	'	'	49,924	'
Stock repurchase program, Remaining authorized repurchase amount	'	$10,076	'	'
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Shares, Beginning balance	'	80,283	'	'
Conversion of convertible preferred stock (in shares)	'	-549	'	'
Issuance for stock compensation plans (in shares)	'	0	'	'
Shares, Ending balance	'	79,734	79,734	'
Treasury Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Shares, Beginning balance	'	4,786,521	'	'
Conversion of convertible preferred stock (in shares)	'	0	'	'
Issuance for stock compensation plans (in shares)	'	0	'	'
Shares, Ending balance	'	4,786,521	4,786,521	'
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Shares, Beginning balance	'	88,548,637	'	'
Conversion of convertible preferred stock (in shares)	'	54,825	'	'
Issuance for stock compensation plans (in shares)	'	79,469	'	'
Shares, Ending balance	'	88,682,931	88,682,931	'

Income_taxes_Details

Income taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income tax expense	$1,384,000	$1,168,000	$4,714,000	$7,384,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	14,341,000	'	14,341,000	'
Proceeds from Income Tax Refunds	'	'	$5,009,000	'

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'		'
Raw materials	$68,091		$40,725
Work-in-process	22,286		15,259
Finished goods	12,834		9,753
Operating and other supplies	128,294		94,188
Inventories (1)	$231,505	[1]	$159,925	[1]
[1]	The balance at September 30, 2013 includes inventory maintained at the recently acquired Sebree smelter. See Note 2 Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter for additional information about the Sebree acquisition.

Debt_Debt_Details

Debt Debt (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Industrial revenue bonds	$7,815		$7,815
Current portion of long-term debt	2,603		0
Revolving credit facility	16,725		0
TOTAL	273,585		273,766
Industrial revenue bonds due 2028 [Member] | Short-term Debt [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	0	[1]	0	[1]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	1-Apr-28	[1]	1-Apr-28	[1]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	12.00%	[1]	12.00%	[1]
Industrial revenue bonds	7,815	[1]	7,815	[1]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.27%		'
Senior secured notes due June 01, 2021 [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	3,558		0
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	1-Jun-21		'
Secured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	246,442		0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.50%		0.00%
Senior secured notes due May 15, 2014 [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	0		1,625
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	'		15-May-14
Secured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	0		247,979
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.00%		8.00%
Senior unsecured notes due August 15, 2014 [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.50%		'
Senior unsecured notes due August 15, 2014 [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	0		0
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	'		15-Aug-14
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	0		2,603
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.00%		7.50%
Senior unsecured notes due August 15, 2014 [Member] | Short-term Debt [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	0		0
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Aug-14		'
Current portion of long-term debt	2,603		0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.50%		0.00%
Contingent obligation [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'		'
E.ON Contingent Obligation	0		-15,369
Contingent obligation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	0	[2]	0	[2]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	31-Dec-28	[2]	31-Dec-28	[2]
E.ON Contingent Obligation	0	[2]	15,369	[2]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	10.94%	[2]	10.94%	[2]
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Term	'5 years		'
Revolving credit facility	$16,725	[3]	$0	[3]
[1]	The IRBs are classified as current liabilities because they are remarketed weekly and could be required to be repaid upon demand if there is a failed remarketing. The IRB interest rate at September 30, 2013 was 0.27%.
[2]	E.ON contingent obligation principal and interest payments are payable based on CAKY’s operating level and the LME price for primary aluminum. See E.ON contingent obligation below and Note 4 Fair value measurements for additional information.
[3]	Borrowings under the revolving line of credit bear interest, at our option, at LIBOR or a base rate, plus, in each case, an applicable interest margin. The applicable interest margin is determined based on the average daily availability for the immediately preceding quarter.

Debt_Credit_Facility_Details

Debt Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Letter of Credit [Member]
			Long-term Debt [Member]	Long-term Debt [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	'	'	$137,500	'
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	'	'	44,255	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	16,725	0	16,725	'
Line Of Credit Facility Additional Borrowings Under Letter Of Credit Sub Facility	'	'	'	80,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	'	'	'	$70,545

Debt_75_Notes_Details

Debt 7.5% Notes (Details) (Long-term Debt [Member], Senior secured notes due June 01, 2021 [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 04, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term Debt [Member] | Senior secured notes due June 01, 2021 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	$250,000	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt	$246,330	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.50%	'	0.00%
Debt Instrument, Collateral, Equity Interests in Foreign Subsidiaries	65.00%	'	'

Debt_75_Notes_Redemption_Detai

Debt 7.5% Notes Redemption (Details) (Long-term Debt [Member], Senior secured notes due June 01, 2021 [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Debt Redemptions Rights After Change Of Control	101.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	105.63%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	103.75%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	101.88%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%

Debt_EON_Contingent_Obligation

Debt E.ON Contingent Obligation (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
			Contingent obligation [Member]	Contingent obligation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on E.ON obligation	$16,428	$0	'	'
E.ON Contingent Obligation, Principal	'	'	-12,902	-12,902
E.ON Contingent Obligation, Accrued Interest	'	'	-3,526	-2,467
E.ON Contingent Obligation, Derivative Asset	'	'	16,428	0
E.ON Contingent Obligation	'	'	$0	($15,369)

Commitments_and_contingencies_

Commitments and contingencies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	147 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	45 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2016
				MW		Logan Kruger [Member]	Grundartangi Power Agreement [Member]	CAWV Total Pension Contribution over Agreement [Member]	CAWV Total Pension Contribution over Agreement [Member]
Environmental Contingencies [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate environmental-related accrued liabilities	$1,322,000	$1,322,000	$906,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Environmental Remediation Expense Minimum Amount Entitling Reimbursement by Third Party	400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amount expended on hydrocarbon recovery plan under EPA Administrative Order	'	985,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Legal Contingencies [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Damages sought for breach of contract and wrongful termination	'	'	'	'	'	20,000,000	'	'	'
Legal settlement award payment	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,470,000	'	'
PBCG Settlement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pension Contributions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	17,400,000
Pension Expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,900,000	'
OR Power Agreement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Power currently available under the power purchase agreement (in megawatts)	'	'	'	47.5	'	'	'	'	'
Power prepayments	$2,000,000	$2,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Labor Commitments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of U.S. based work force represented by a union (in hundredths)	75.00%	75.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of labor unions foreign subsidiary entered into a new labor agreement with	'	'	'	'	5	'	'	'	'
Percentage of foreign work force represented by the labor unions (in hundredths)	'	'	'	'	84.00%	'	'	'	'

Forward_delivery_contracts_and2

Forward delivery contracts and financial instruments (Details)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Primary Aluminum Sales Contracts [Member]

Primary Aluminum Sales Contracts [Member]

Primary Aluminum Sales Contracts [Member]

Primary Aluminum Sales Contracts [Member]

Primary Aluminum Sales Contracts [Member]

Long-Term Tolling Conctracts [Member]

Long-Term Tolling Conctracts [Member]

Long-Term Tolling Conctracts [Member]

Other Forward Delivery Contracts [Member]

Other Forward Delivery Contracts [Member]

Glencore [Member]

Glencore [Member]

Glencore Metal Agreement [Member]

Glencore Sweep Agreement [Member]

Glencore Nordural Metal Agreement [Member]

Southwire Metal Agreement [Member]

RTA Metal Agreement [Member]

Billiton Tolling Agreement [Member]

Glencore Toll Agreement 1 [Member]

Glencore Toll Agreement 2 [Member]

t

t

Other Forward Delivery Contracts [Member]

Other Forward Delivery Contracts [Member]

t

t

lb

t

t

t

t

t

t

Supply Commitment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Customer

'Glencore

[1]

'Glencore

[2]

'Glencore

'Southwire

[3]

'Rio Tinto Alcan

'BHP Billiton

[4]

'Glencore

[4]

'Glencore

[4]

'

'

'

'

Sales Volume Description

'20,400 metric tons per year ("mtpy")

[1]

'Surplus primary aluminum produced in the United States

[2]

'Approximately 19,000 metric tons

'220 to 240 million pounds per year (high conductivity molten aluminum)

[3]

'Approximately 111,000 metric tons

'130,000 mtpy

[4]

'90,000 mtpy

[4]

'40,000 mtpy

[4]

'

'

'

'

Volume maximum (in mtpy, metric tons, and pounds per year)

20,400

[1]

'

19,000

240,000

[3]

111,000

130,000

[4]

90,000

[4]

40,000

[4]

'

'

'

'

Volume minimum (in mtpy, metric tons, and pounds per year)

'

'

'

220,000

[3]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term

'Through December 31, 2013

[1]

'Through December 31, 2013

[2]

'Through December 31, 2013

'Through December 31, 2013

[3]

'Through December 31, 2013

'Through December 31, 2013

[4]

'Through July 31, 2016

[4]

'Through December 31, 2014

[4]

'

'

'

'

Pricing

'Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market

[1]

'Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market

[2]

'Variable, based on LME

'Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market

[3]

'Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market

'LME-based

[4]

'LME-based

[4]

'LME-based

[4]

'

'

'

'

Other forward delivery contracts to sell primary aluminum (in metric tons)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

32,994

88,827

1,775

1,811

[1]

We account for the Glencore Metal Agreement as a derivative instrument under ASC 815. Under the Glencore Metal Agreement, pricing is based on then-current Midwest market prices, adjusted by a negotiated U.S. Midwest premium with a cap and a floor as applied to the current U.S. Midwest premium.

[2]

The Glencore Sweep Agreement is for all metal produced in the U.S. in 2013, less existing sales agreements and high-purity metal sales. The term of the contract may be extended for one year upon mutual agreement.

[3]

The Southwire Metal Agreement contains termination rights in the event of a partial or full curtailment of the Hawesville facility. Despite reaching power agreements, certain regulatory approvals have not yet been received and CAKY could curtail all smelter operations if these approvals are not ultimately received.

[4]

Grundartangi’s tolling revenues include a premium based on the European Union (“EU”) import duty for primary aluminum.

Supplemental_cash_flow_informa2

Supplemental cash flow information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Interest	$11,293		$10,220
Income/withholding taxes (1)	27,254	[1]	33,625	[1]
Accrued capital costs	4,034		935
Iceland [Member]	'		'
Income/withholding taxes (1)	$18,067		$22,633
[1]	We paid withholding taxes in Iceland of $18,067 and $22,633 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our tax payments in Iceland for withholding taxes, income taxes and associated refunds are denominated in Icelandic kronur ("ISK"). We expect to receive refunds of the withholding tax payments in the fourth quarters of 2013 and 2014. See Note 18 Subsequent events for additional information about withholding tax refunds.

Asset_retirement_obligations_A2

Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance, ARO liability	$16,124	$15,171
Additional ARO liability incurred	1,648	1,166
ARO liabilities settled	-1,493	-1,380
Accretion expense	1,334	1,167
Additional ARO liability from Sebree acquisition	10,106	0
Ending balance, ARO liability	$27,719	$16,124

Components_of_Accumulated_othe2

Components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	($153,155)		($166,815)
Income tax effect	14,475	[1]	15,623	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-138,680		-151,192
Defined benefit plans liabilities [Member]	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	-139,426		-153,225
Income tax effect	14,663		15,784
Equity in investee other comprehensive income [Member]	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	-12,712	[2]	-12,712	[2]
Income tax effect	436		488
Unrealized loss on financial instruments [Member]	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	-1,017		-878
Income tax effect	($624)		($649)
[1]	The allocation of the income tax effect to the components of other comprehensive income is as follows: September 30, 2013December 31, 2012Defined benefit plan liabilities$14,663$15,784Equity in investee other comprehensive income436488Unrealized loss on financial instruments(624)(649)
[2]	The amount includes our equity in the other comprehensive income of Mt. Holly Aluminum Company.

Components_of_net_periodic_ben2

Components of net periodic benefit cost (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Employer contributions	'	'	$8,582	'
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	700	448	1,862	1,343
Interest cost	1,474	1,378	4,230	4,135
Amortization of prior service costs	-998	-1,063	-2,997	-3,188
Amortization of net loss	1,157	1,652	3,934	4,956
Curtailment	0	0	-20	0
Total net periodic benefit cost	2,333	2,415	7,009	7,246
Pension Plans	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	1,686	701	3,292	2,102
Interest cost	2,903	1,717	6,293	5,153
Expected return on plan assets	-3,723	-1,740	-7,337	-5,222
Amortization of prior service costs	30	34	85	103
Amortization of net loss	723	910	2,428	2,731
Curtailment	0	0	-18	0
Total net periodic benefit cost	$1,619	$1,622	$4,743	$4,867

Condensed_consolidating_financ2

Condensed consolidating financial information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Percentage of subsidiary guarantor owned by company (in hundredths)	'		'	100.00%		'	'
Assets:	'		'	'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$140,801		$173,375	$140,801		$173,375	'
Restricted cash	3,273		'	3,273		'	258
Accounts receivable — net	51,247		'	51,247		'	50,667
Due from affiliates	24,955		'	24,955		'	37,870
Inventories	231,505	[1]	'	231,505	[1]	'	159,925	[1]
Prepaid and other current assets	40,708		'	40,708		'	34,975
Deferred taxes - current portion	19,720		'	19,720		'	19,726
Total current assets	512,209		'	512,209		'	487,397
Investment in subsidiaries	0		'	0		'	0
Property, plant and equipment — net	1,239,201		'	1,239,201		'	1,188,214
Due from affiliates – less current portion	0		'	0		'	0
Other assets	108,221		'	108,221		'	100,715
TOTAL	1,859,631		'	1,859,631		'	1,776,326
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:	'		'	'		'	'
Accounts payable, trade	105,950		'	105,950		'	75,370
Due to affiliates	71,739		'	71,739		'	39,737
Accrued and other current liabilities	72,921		'	72,921		'	40,099
Accrued employee benefits costs	17,060		'	17,060		'	18,683
Industrial revenue bonds	7,815		'	7,815		'	7,815
Current portion of long-term debt	2,603		'	2,603		'	0
Total current liabilities	278,088		'	278,088		'	181,704
Senior notes payable	246,442		'	246,442		'	250,582
Revolving credit facility	16,725		'	16,725		'	0
Accrued pension benefit costs — less current portion	59,724		'	59,724		'	67,878
Accrued postretirement benefits costs — less current portion	144,025		'	144,025		'	143,105
Other liabilities/intercompany loan	37,184		'	37,184		'	40,162
Deferred taxes	111,922		'	111,922		'	110,252
Total noncurrent liabilities	616,022		'	616,022		'	611,979
Shareholders' equity:	'		'	'		'	'
Series A Preferred stock	1		'	1		'	1
Common stock	935		'	935		'	933
Additional paid-in capital	2,508,456		'	2,508,456		'	2,507,454
Treasury stock, at cost	-49,924		'	-49,924		'	-49,924
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-138,680		'	-138,680		'	-151,192
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-1,355,267		'	-1,355,267		'	-1,324,629
Total shareholders’ equity	965,521		'	965,521		'	982,643
Total	1,859,631		'	1,859,631		'	1,776,326
Net sales:	'		'	'		'	'
Third-party customers	271,016		170,023	680,480		542,884	'
Related parties	128,912		134,612	372,659		411,560	'
Sales Revenue – net	399,928		304,635	1,053,139		954,444	'
Cost of goods sold	387,574		301,385	1,028,901		924,645	'
Gross profit	12,354		3,250	24,238		29,799	'
Other operating expenses – net	2,174		7,388	6,288		14,926	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	14,422		9,182	45,875		24,792	'
Operating income (loss)	-4,242		-13,320	-27,925		-9,919	'
Interest expense – third party	-5,406		-6,041	-17,706		-17,966	'
Interest expense – affiliates	0		0	0		0	'
Interest income – third party	141		72	458		324	'
Interest income – affiliates	0		0	0		62	'
Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	440		-340	16,151		-4,049	'
Gain on bargain purchase	0		0	5,253		0	'
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0		0	-3,272		0	'
Other income (expense) – net	213		7,648	-1,001		8,115	'
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	-8,854		-11,981	-28,042		-23,433	'
Income tax expense	-1,384		-1,168	-4,714		-7,384	'
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	-10,238		-13,149	-32,756		-30,817	'
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	731		1,126	2,118		2,116	'
Net loss	-9,507		-12,023	-30,638		-28,701	'
Other comprehensive income before income tax effect	866		1,556	13,660		4,842	'
Income tax effect	-383		-382	-1,148		-1,147	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	483		1,174	12,512		3,695	'
Comprehensive income (loss)	-9,024		-10,849	-18,126		-25,006	'
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS	'		'	'		'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'		'	42,458		21,085	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	'		'	-31,994		-10,399	'
Nordural expansion — Helguvik	'		'	-2,855		-5,474	'
Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements	'		'	-8,519		-14,185	'
Purchase of Sebree smelter	'		'	-48,058		0	'
Investments in and advances to joint ventures	'		'	0		-275	'
Dividends and payments received on advances to joint ventures	'		'	0		3,166	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	'		'	515		89	'
Restricted and other cash deposits	'		'	-3,015		0	'
Net cash used in investing activities	'		'	-93,926		-27,078	'
Financing activities:	'		'	'		'	'
Repayment of debt	'		'	-249,604		0	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	'		'	246,330		0	'
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	'		'	16,725		18,076	'
Repayments under revolving credit facility	'		'	0		-18,076	'
Debt issuance costs	'		'	-3,994		0	'
Debt retirement costs	'		'	1,208		0	'
Intercompany transactions	'		'	0		0	'
Repurchase of common stock	'		'	0		-4,033	'
Issuance of common stock — net	'		'	44		0	'
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	'		'	8,293		-4,033	'
Change in cash and cash equivalents	'		'	-43,175		-10,026	'
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	'		'	183,976		183,401	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	140,801		173,375	140,801		173,375	'
Senior unsecured notes due August 15, 2014 [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Interest rate (in hundredths)	7.50%		'	7.50%		'	'
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Assets:	'		'	'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0	0		0	'
Restricted cash	790		'	790		'	258
Accounts receivable — net	50,157		'	50,157		'	38,328
Due from affiliates	610,588		'	610,588		'	604,008
Inventories	158,620		'	158,620		'	97,847
Prepaid and other current assets	4,199		'	4,199		'	4,421
Deferred taxes - current portion	0		'	0		'	0
Total current assets	824,354		'	824,354		'	744,862
Investment in subsidiaries	50,696		'	50,696		'	40,335
Property, plant and equipment — net	354,595		'	354,595		'	313,090
Due from affiliates – less current portion	0		'	0		'	0
Other assets	17,603		'	17,603		'	17,616
TOTAL	1,247,248		'	1,247,248		'	1,115,903
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:	'		'	'		'	'
Accounts payable, trade	66,212		'	66,212		'	37,301
Due to affiliates	2,161,803		'	2,161,803		'	2,098,320
Accrued and other current liabilities	39,678		'	39,678		'	13,031
Accrued employee benefits costs	13,495		'	13,495		'	15,926
Industrial revenue bonds	7,815		'	7,815		'	7,815
Current portion of long-term debt	0		'	0		'	'
Total current liabilities	2,289,003		'	2,289,003		'	2,172,393
Senior notes payable	0		'	0		'	0
Revolving credit facility	0		'	0		'	'
Accrued pension benefit costs — less current portion	29,188		'	29,188		'	36,087
Accrued postretirement benefits costs — less current portion	137,388		'	137,388		'	137,184
Other liabilities/intercompany loan	57,871		'	57,871		'	65,377
Deferred taxes	0		'	0		'	0
Total noncurrent liabilities	224,447		'	224,447		'	238,648
Shareholders' equity:	'		'	'		'	'
Series A Preferred stock	0		'	0		'	0
Common stock	60		'	60		'	60
Additional paid-in capital	370,467		'	370,467		'	303,659
Treasury stock, at cost	0		'	0		'	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-133,371		'	-133,371		'	-146,862
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-1,503,358		'	-1,503,358		'	-1,451,995
Total shareholders’ equity	-1,266,202		'	-1,266,202		'	-1,295,138
Total	1,247,248		'	1,247,248		'	1,115,903
Net sales:	'		'	'		'	'
Third-party customers	224,571		123,525	535,655		391,100	'
Related parties	71,399		75,590	189,679		226,589	'
Sales Revenue – net	295,970		199,115	725,334		617,689	'
Cost of goods sold	303,521		210,417	765,101		640,650	'
Gross profit	-7,551		-11,302	-39,767		-22,961	'
Other operating expenses – net	2,174		7,388	6,288		14,926	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	10,585		7,530	35,229		23,747	'
Operating income (loss)	-20,310		-26,220	-81,284		-61,634	'
Interest expense – third party	-5,406		-6,041	-17,706		-17,966	'
Interest expense – affiliates	13,950		15,860	42,967		48,108	'
Interest income – third party	4		4	35		19	'
Interest income – affiliates	'		'	'		0	'
Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	440		-340	16,151		-4,049	'
Gain on bargain purchase	'		'	5,253		'	'
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	'		'	-3,272		'	'
Other income (expense) – net	-25		-48	-34		750	'
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	-11,347		-16,785	-37,890		-34,772	'
Income tax expense	685		964	-5,099		279	'
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	-10,662		-15,821	-42,989		-34,493	'
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	-3,108		-638	-8,374		-482	'
Net loss	-13,770		-16,459	-51,363		-34,975	'
Other comprehensive income before income tax effect	2,093		1,339	13,183		4,141	'
Income tax effect	-375		-4	-1,123		-605	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,718		1,335	12,060		3,536	'
Comprehensive income (loss)	-12,052		-15,124	-39,303		-31,439	'
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS	'		'	'		'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'		'	54,782		11,824	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	'		'	-10,400		-4,102	'
Nordural expansion — Helguvik	'		'	0		0	'
Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements	'		'	0		-14,185	'
Purchase of Sebree smelter	'		'	0		'	'
Investments in and advances to joint ventures	'		'	'		0	'
Dividends and payments received on advances to joint ventures	'		'	'		0	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	'		'	10		0	'
Restricted and other cash deposits	'		'	-532		'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	'		'	-10,922		-18,287	'
Financing activities:	'		'	'		'	'
Repayment of debt	'		'	0		'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	'		'	0		'	'
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	'		'	0		0	'
Repayments under revolving credit facility	'		'	'		0	'
Debt issuance costs	'		'	0		'	'
Debt retirement costs	'		'	0		'	'
Intercompany transactions	'		'	-43,860		6,463	'
Repurchase of common stock	'		'	'		0	'
Issuance of common stock — net	'		'	0		'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	'		'	-43,860		6,463	'
Change in cash and cash equivalents	'		'	0		0	'
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	'		'	0		0	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	0		0	0		0	'
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Assets:	'		'	'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	64,366		137,992	64,366		137,992	'
Restricted cash	2,483		'	2,483		'	0
Accounts receivable — net	1,090		'	1,090		'	12,339
Due from affiliates	39,991		'	39,991		'	38,328
Inventories	72,885		'	72,885		'	62,078
Prepaid and other current assets	31,456		'	31,456		'	30,650
Deferred taxes - current portion	19,726		'	19,726		'	17,799
Total current assets	231,997		'	231,997		'	271,210
Investment in subsidiaries	0		'	0		'	0
Property, plant and equipment — net	883,232		'	883,232		'	874,559
Due from affiliates – less current portion	30,479		'	30,479		'	3,588
Other assets	53,596		'	53,596		'	45,474
TOTAL	1,199,304		'	1,199,304		'	1,194,831
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:	'		'	'		'	'
Accounts payable, trade	38,383		'	38,383		'	37,627
Due to affiliates	135,587		'	135,587		'	105,945
Accrued and other current liabilities	13,678		'	13,678		'	31,332
Accrued employee benefits costs	0		'	0		'	0
Industrial revenue bonds	0		'	0		'	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0		'	0		'	'
Total current liabilities	187,648		'	187,648		'	174,904
Senior notes payable	0		'	0		'	0
Revolving credit facility	0		'	0		'	'
Accrued pension benefit costs — less current portion	0		'	0		'	0
Accrued postretirement benefits costs — less current portion	0		'	0		'	0
Other liabilities/intercompany loan	572,417		'	572,417		'	614,585
Deferred taxes	111,922		'	111,922		'	109,011
Total noncurrent liabilities	684,339		'	684,339		'	723,596
Shareholders' equity:	'		'	'		'	'
Series A Preferred stock	0		'	0		'	0
Common stock	12		'	12		'	12
Additional paid-in capital	169,493		'	169,493		'	150,743
Treasury stock, at cost	0		'	0		'	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,640		'	-1,640		'	-1,525
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	159,452		'	159,452		'	147,101
Total shareholders’ equity	327,317		'	327,317		'	296,331
Total	1,199,304		'	1,199,304		'	1,194,831
Net sales:	'		'	'		'	'
Third-party customers	46,445		46,498	144,825		151,784	'
Related parties	57,513		59,022	182,980		184,971	'
Sales Revenue – net	103,958		105,520	327,805		336,755	'
Cost of goods sold	84,053		90,968	263,800		283,995	'
Gross profit	19,905		14,552	64,005		52,760	'
Other operating expenses – net	0		0	0		0	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	3,837		1,652	10,646		1,045	'
Operating income (loss)	16,068		12,900	53,359		51,715	'
Interest expense – third party	0		0	0		0	'
Interest expense – affiliates	-13,950		-15,860	-42,967		-48,108	'
Interest income – third party	137		68	423		305	'
Interest income – affiliates	'		'	'		62	'
Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	0		0	0		0	'
Gain on bargain purchase	'		'	0		'	'
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	'		'	0		'	'
Other income (expense) – net	238		7,696	-967		7,365	'
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	2,493		4,804	9,848		11,339	'
Income tax expense	-2,069		-2,132	385		-7,663	'
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	424		2,672	10,233		3,676	'
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	731		1,126	2,118		2,116	'
Net loss	1,155		3,798	12,351		5,792	'
Other comprehensive income before income tax effect	-46		-47	-139		-140	'
Income tax effect	8		9	25		26	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-38		-38	-114		-114	'
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,117		3,760	12,237		5,678	'
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS	'		'	'		'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'		'	-12,324		9,261	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	'		'	-20,408		-6,219	'
Nordural expansion — Helguvik	'		'	-2,855		-5,474	'
Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements	'		'	-8,519		0	'
Purchase of Sebree smelter	'		'	0		'	'
Investments in and advances to joint ventures	'		'	'		0	'
Dividends and payments received on advances to joint ventures	'		'	'		0	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	'		'	505		89	'
Restricted and other cash deposits	'		'	-2,483		'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	'		'	-33,760		-11,604	'
Financing activities:	'		'	'		'	'
Repayment of debt	'		'	0		'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	'		'	0		'	'
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	'		'	0		0	'
Repayments under revolving credit facility	'		'	'		0	'
Debt issuance costs	'		'	0		'	'
Debt retirement costs	'		'	0		'	'
Intercompany transactions	'		'	434		-18,822	'
Repurchase of common stock	'		'	'		0	'
Issuance of common stock — net	'		'	0		'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	'		'	434		-18,822	'
Change in cash and cash equivalents	'		'	-45,650		-21,165	'
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	'		'	110,016		159,157	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	64,366		137,992	64,366		137,992	'
Century Aluminum Company [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Assets:	'		'	'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	76,435		35,383	76,435		35,383	'
Restricted cash	0		'	0		'	0
Accounts receivable — net	0		'	0		'	0
Due from affiliates	2,339,683		'	2,339,683		'	2,391,249
Inventories	0		'	0		'	0
Prepaid and other current assets	5,053		'	5,053		'	8,063
Deferred taxes - current portion	0		'	0		'	0
Total current assets	2,421,171		'	2,421,171		'	2,473,272
Investment in subsidiaries	-959,581		'	-959,581		'	-1,039,141
Property, plant and equipment — net	1,793		'	1,793		'	916
Due from affiliates – less current portion	0		'	0		'	0
Other assets	32,274		'	32,274		'	37,027
TOTAL	1,495,657		'	1,495,657		'	1,472,074
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:	'		'	'		'	'
Accounts payable, trade	1,355		'	1,355		'	442
Due to affiliates	202,075		'	202,075		'	193,788
Accrued and other current liabilities	17,638		'	17,638		'	1,967
Accrued employee benefits costs	3,565		'	3,565		'	2,757
Industrial revenue bonds	0		'	0		'	0
Current portion of long-term debt	2,603		'	2,603		'	'
Total current liabilities	227,236		'	227,236		'	198,954
Senior notes payable	246,442		'	246,442		'	250,582
Revolving credit facility	16,725		'	16,725		'	'
Accrued pension benefit costs — less current portion	30,536		'	30,536		'	31,791
Accrued postretirement benefits costs — less current portion	6,637		'	6,637		'	5,921
Other liabilities/intercompany loan	2,560		'	2,560		'	2,183
Deferred taxes	0		'	0		'	0
Total noncurrent liabilities	302,900		'	302,900		'	290,477
Shareholders' equity:	'		'	'		'	'
Series A Preferred stock	1		'	1		'	1
Common stock	935		'	935		'	933
Additional paid-in capital	2,508,456		'	2,508,456		'	2,507,454
Treasury stock, at cost	-49,924		'	-49,924		'	-49,924
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-138,680		'	-138,680		'	-151,192
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-1,355,267		'	-1,355,267		'	-1,324,629
Total shareholders’ equity	965,521		'	965,521		'	982,643
Total	1,495,657		'	1,495,657		'	1,472,074
Net sales:	'		'	'		'	'
Third-party customers	0		0	0		0	'
Related parties	0		0	0		0	'
Sales Revenue – net	0		0	0		0	'
Cost of goods sold	0		0	0		0	'
Gross profit	0		0	0		0	'
Other operating expenses – net	0		0	0		0	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0		0	0		0	'
Operating income (loss)	0		0	0		0	'
Interest expense – third party	0		0	0		0	'
Interest expense – affiliates	0		0	0		0	'
Interest income – third party	0		0	0		0	'
Interest income – affiliates	'		'	'		0	'
Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	0		0	0		0	'
Gain on bargain purchase	'		'	0		'	'
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	'		'	0		'	'
Other income (expense) – net	0		0	0		0	'
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	0		0	0		0	'
Income tax expense	0		0	0		0	'
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	0		0	0		0	'
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	-9,507		-12,023	-30,638		-28,701	'
Net loss	-9,507		-12,023	-30,638		-28,701	'
Other comprehensive income before income tax effect	866		1,556	13,660		4,842	'
Income tax effect	-383		-382	-1,148		-1,147	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	483		1,174	12,512		3,695	'
Comprehensive income (loss)	-9,024		-10,849	-18,126		-25,006	'
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS	'		'	'		'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'		'	0		0	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	'		'	-1,186		-78	'
Nordural expansion — Helguvik	'		'	0		0	'
Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements	'		'	0		0	'
Purchase of Sebree smelter	'		'	-48,058		'	'
Investments in and advances to joint ventures	'		'	'		-275	'
Dividends and payments received on advances to joint ventures	'		'	'		3,166	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	'		'	0		0	'
Restricted and other cash deposits	'		'	0		'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	'		'	-49,244		2,813	'
Financing activities:	'		'	'		'	'
Repayment of debt	'		'	-249,604		'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	'		'	246,330		'	'
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	'		'	16,725		18,076	'
Repayments under revolving credit facility	'		'	'		-18,076	'
Debt issuance costs	'		'	-3,994		'	'
Debt retirement costs	'		'	1,208		'	'
Intercompany transactions	'		'	43,426		12,359	'
Repurchase of common stock	'		'	'		-4,033	'
Issuance of common stock — net	'		'	44		'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	'		'	51,719		8,326	'
Change in cash and cash equivalents	'		'	2,475		11,139	'
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	'		'	73,960		24,244	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	76,435		35,383	76,435		35,383	'
Reclassifications and Eliminations [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Assets:	'		'	'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0		'	0		'	'
Restricted cash	0		'	0		'	0
Accounts receivable — net	0		'	0		'	0
Due from affiliates	-2,965,307		'	-2,965,307		'	-2,995,715
Inventories	0		'	0		'	0
Prepaid and other current assets	0		'	0		'	-8,159
Deferred taxes - current portion	-6		'	-6		'	1,927
Total current assets	-2,965,313		'	-2,965,313		'	-3,001,947
Investment in subsidiaries	908,885		'	908,885		'	998,806
Property, plant and equipment — net	-419		'	-419		'	-351
Due from affiliates – less current portion	-30,479		'	-30,479		'	-3,588
Other assets	4,748		'	4,748		'	598
TOTAL	-2,082,578		'	-2,082,578		'	-2,006,482
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:	'		'	'		'	'
Accounts payable, trade	0		'	0		'	0
Due to affiliates	-2,427,726		'	-2,427,726		'	-2,358,316
Accrued and other current liabilities	1,927		'	1,927		'	-6,231
Accrued employee benefits costs	0		'	0		'	0
Industrial revenue bonds	0		'	0		'	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0		'	0		'	'
Total current liabilities	-2,425,799		'	-2,425,799		'	-2,364,547
Senior notes payable	0		'	0		'	0
Revolving credit facility	0		'	0		'	'
Accrued pension benefit costs — less current portion	0		'	0		'	0
Accrued postretirement benefits costs — less current portion	0		'	0		'	0
Other liabilities/intercompany loan	-595,664		'	-595,664		'	-641,983
Deferred taxes	0		'	0		'	1,241
Total noncurrent liabilities	-595,664		'	-595,664		'	-640,742
Shareholders' equity:	'		'	'		'	'
Series A Preferred stock	0		'	0		'	0
Common stock	-72		'	-72		'	-72
Additional paid-in capital	-539,960		'	-539,960		'	-454,402
Treasury stock, at cost	0		'	0		'	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	135,011		'	135,011		'	148,387
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	1,343,906		'	1,343,906		'	1,304,894
Total shareholders’ equity	938,885		'	938,885		'	998,807
Total	-2,082,578		'	-2,082,578		'	-2,006,482
Net sales:	'		'	'		'	'
Third-party customers	0		0	0		0	'
Related parties	0		0	0		0	'
Sales Revenue – net	0		0	0		0	'
Cost of goods sold	0		0	0		0	'
Gross profit	0		0	0		0	'
Other operating expenses – net	0		0	0		0	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0		0	0		0	'
Operating income (loss)	0		0	0		0	'
Interest expense – third party	0		0	0		0	'
Interest expense – affiliates	0		0	0		0	'
Interest income – third party	0		0	0		0	'
Interest income – affiliates	'		'	'		0	'
Net gain on forward and derivative contracts	0		0	0		0	'
Gain on bargain purchase	'		'	0		'	'
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	'		'	0		'	'
Other income (expense) – net	0		0	0		0	'
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	0		0	0		0	'
Income tax expense	0		0	0		0	'
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	0		0	0		0	'
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and joint ventures	12,615		12,661	39,012		29,183	'
Net loss	12,615		12,661	39,012		29,183	'
Other comprehensive income before income tax effect	-2,047		-1,292	-13,044		-4,001	'
Income tax effect	367		-5	1,098		579	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,680		-1,297	-11,946		-3,422	'
Comprehensive income (loss)	10,935		11,364	27,066		25,761	'
Financing activities:	'		'	'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	'		'	0		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$0		'	$0		'	'
[1]	The balance at September 30, 2013 includes inventory maintained at the recently acquired Sebree smelter. See Note 2 Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter for additional information about the Sebree acquisition.