The proposed $4 billion Oklahoma Primary Aluminum (OPA) smelter, a joint venture between Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum, is targeting the start of civil works in the second quarter of 2027, according to a report by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM). First hot metal is expected between mid- and late 2030. The 750,000-metric-ton project would be the first new primary aluminum smelter built in the United States in nearly 50 years.
The project's timeline, however, faces several obstacles. SMM reports that local restrictions, environmental permitting and ongoing legal hurdles have complicated efforts to maintain the current construction schedule. A local moratorium and an April 7 ballot are also on the same calendar, adding to the uncertainty over the project's path forward.
The SMM report does not provide details on the outcome of the ballot or on the specific legal and permitting challenges. Market participants will likely monitor the April 7 vote and the progress of environmental permitting as indicators of whether the 2027 civil works target and the 2030 first hot metal date can be achieved. Source: Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), "[SMM Aluminum Flash News] $4b Oklahoma aluminum smelter's civil works penciled in for Q2 2027 as Inola ballot looms," published October 30, 2026.
SMM notes that the data are based on publicly available information, market communication and its internal database model, and are for reference only.
Source: news.metal.com