<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-13-000638.txt : 20130103
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-13-000638.hdr.sgml : 20130103
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130103150442
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-13-000638
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20121231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130103
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20130103

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Kjos David
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001402774

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34474
		FILM NUMBER:		13506101

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
		STREET 2:		2511 GARDEN ROAD, BLDG A, SUITE 200
		CITY:			MONTEREY
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93940

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTURY ALUMINUM CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000949157
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PRIMARY PRODUCTION OF ALUMINUM [3334]
		IRS NUMBER:				133070826
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2511 GARDEN ROAD
		STREET 2:		BUILDING A SUITE 200
		CITY:			MONTEREY
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93940
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3042736000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2511 GARDEN ROAD
		STREET 2:		BUILDING A SUITE 200
		CITY:			MONTEREY
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93940
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000949157</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CENTURY ALUMINUM CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CENX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001402774</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Kjos David</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2511 GARDEN ROAD, BLDG A, SUITE 200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MONTEREY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>93940</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>VP Maj Proj. Tech. &amp; Sustain</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>973</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>142788</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>868.7973</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(k)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reports shares withheld by the Issuer in connection with the vesting of performance share units granted to the Reporting Person pursuant to the Issuer's 2010-2012 Performance Share Program to satisfy tax obligations at a net settlement price equal to the closing price on Nasdaq on December 31, 2012, the vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes unvested shares of performance share units granted to the Reporting Person under a Rule 16b-3(d) plan all of which vest in the ordinary course on the last day of the 2011-2013 Performance Share Program period, December 31, 2013, and shares of performance share units granted to the Reporting Person under a Rule 16b-3(d) plan which have vested but will not settle until the earlier of (i) March 22, 2013 (with respect to 3,500 shares) and March 22, 2014 (with respect to the remaining 3,500 shares) or (ii) the occurrence of certain subsequent events.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">As reported by 401(k) plan trustee on December 31, 2012.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jesse E. Gary, Attorney-in-Fact for David Kjos</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-01-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
