<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-13-008065.txt : 20130226
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-13-008065.hdr.sgml : 20130226
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130226171332
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-13-008065
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20130225
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130226
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20130226

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Gary Jesse E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001568817

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34474
		FILM NUMBER:		13643674

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2511 GARDEN ROAD
		STREET 2:		BUILDING 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>2013-02-25</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001568817</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Gary Jesse E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2511 GARDEN ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>BUILDING A, SUITE 200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MONTEREY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>93940</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Gen. Counsel &amp; Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2013-02-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2358</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14895</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reports shares withheld by the Issuer in connection with the settlement of performance units granted to the Reporting Person upon commencing employment with the Issuer on February 25, 2010, to satisfy tax obligations at a net settlement price equal to the closing price on Nasdaq on February 25, 2013, the vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes vested performance share units granted to the Reporting Person pursuant to the Issuer's 2011-2014 Performance Share Program and unvested performance share units granted to the Reporting Person pursuant to the Issuer's 2012-2015 Performance Share Program under a Rule 16b-3(d) plan, 3,000 of which will settle on each of March 22, 2013 and March 22, 2014 and 2,500 of which will vest on each of April 16, 2014 and April 16, 2015, respectively.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jesse E. Gary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-02-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
