Century Aluminum of West Virginia announced the curtailment of the remaining plant operations at its Ravenswood, W.Va., aluminum smelter by Feb. 20. The Ravenswood smelter, which was constructed in 1957, produces 170,000 metric tons per year at full capacity. The shutdown of the plant’s remaining three potlines will begin immediately. Layoffs for the majority of the plant’s 651 employees are expected to be completed by Feb. 20. The plant will be carefully maintained to allow for the possibility of reopening if justified by market conditions.

Monterrey, Calif.-based Century Aluminum, the parent company of Century Aluminum of West Virginia, owns primary aluminum capacity in the United States and Iceland along with in interest in alumina and bauxite assets in the U.S. and Jamaica. On Dec. 17, the company informed employees of the possibility of the shutdown, citing slumping aluminum prices as a main factor.