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Century Aluminum Announces Lay Offs at Sebree Smelter

Century Aluminum has announced it will lay off nearly 30 percent of its workforce at its Sebree smelter by year's end.

According to the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, the company says it'll lay off 150 people at the plant by Dec. 31 and curtail one of its three pot lines. Century currently has about 525 employees at the Sebree smelter.

In a statement, Century's president and CEO Michael Bless said the company is struggling to compete with the low prices of subsidized Chinese aluminum, calling the practice "unfair."

Last month, the company laid off approximately 320 people at its Hawesville smelter.

The Hawesville smelter is down to 250 employees and has two pot lines operating.

On Thursday, Century reported a net loss of $56.1 million for the quarter ending Sept. 30.