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EGA and Century to jointly own venture in 60:40 split

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Capacity of smelter in Oklahoma raised to 750,000 tons

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Production seen starting before end of the ‌decade

(Adds detail, background)

Jan 26 (Reuters) -

Century Aluminum ( CENX ) will take a 40% ​stake in Emirates

Global Aluminium's project to build ‍the first primary aluminium

smelter in ⁠the United ⁠States in almost 50 years, the companies

said on Monday.

EGA, which ‌will retain 60% in ​the joint venture, announced

plans to build the smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, ⁠in May 2025. Its

planned ‍capacity ​has now been increased to 750,000 metric tons

of aluminium per year, up from 600,000 ‍tons per year previously,

which would more than double U.S. production of the metal.

"Key industries, such as automotive, aerospace,

construction, packaging and importantly, national defense, stand

to benefit greatly from ​this ‍expanded production of this

critical metal," Jesse Gary, CEO of Chicago-based Century, said

in a ​statement.

Construction of the project is expected to start by the

end of this year, with production seen starting by the end of

the decade, the companies said, adding that the project was set

to ​create 1,000 permanent jobs at the site and support 4,000

construction jobs.