14-AScheduleProxy Def. 2012


SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.    )

Filed by the Registrant x
 
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
 
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
 
o
Preliminary Proxy Statement
o
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x
Definitive Proxy Statement
 
o
Definitive Additional Materials
 
 
o
Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12
 
 
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x
No fee required.
o
Fee Computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 
(1)
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
(2)
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
(3)
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
(set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 
(4)
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
(5)
Total fee paid:
o
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
(1)
Amount Previously Paid:
 
(2)
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
(3)
Filing Party:
 
(4)
Date Filed:




NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
September 18, 2012
___________

To the Stockholders of Century Aluminum Company:

We cordially invite you to attend our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting this year will be held on September 18, 2012, at 8:30 a.m., local time, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel, One Old Golf Course Road, Monterey, California. At the meeting, we will: 
1.
Hold a vote to adopt and approve an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to declassify our Board of Directors and provide for the annual election of directors;
2.
Hold a vote to adopt and approve an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation granting stockholders owning not less than 10% of our outstanding Common Stock the right to call a special meeting of stockholders;
3.
Hold a vote on the election of Jarl Berntzen to our Board;
4.
Hold a vote to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012;
5.
Hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers; and
6.
Transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting or at any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.
You may vote at the meeting if you owned our common stock at the close of business on July 24, 2012.  Please note, there are three ways that you can vote before the meeting — by telephone, by the Internet or by mailing the proxy card.
                            
By Order of the Board of Directors,
William J. Leatherberry
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
Monterey, California
August 3, 2012



YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
If you do not plan to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting, or if you do plan to attend but wish to vote by proxy, please follow the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to vote by the Internet or to request a paper copy of the proxy materials and a proxy card. You may also vote by telephone.


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Century Aluminum Company
2511 Garden Road
Building A, Suite 200
Monterey, California 93940
___________
 
PROXY STATEMENT
___________
 
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
September 18, 2012
 
Our Board of Directors is soliciting proxies for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2012 Annual Meeting”) of Century Aluminum Company (“Century” or the “Company”).  This proxy statement contains information about the items you will vote on at the Annual Meeting. Further information and instructions on how to vote online, or in the alternative, request a paper copy of these proxy materials and a proxy card, will be as set forth in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”) as described below.
 
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

We are pleased this year to take advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules that permit companies to furnish proxy materials to stockholders over the Internet. On or about August 3, 2012, we will begin mailing the Notice. The Notice contains instructions on how to vote online, or in the alternative, request a paper copy of the proxy materials and a proxy card. By furnishing a Notice and access to our proxy materials by the Internet, we are lowering the costs and reducing the environmental impact of the 2012 Annual Meeting. If you received a Notice by mail, you will not receive a paper copy of the proxy materials unless you request such materials by following the instructions contained on the Notice. Your vote is important no matter the extent of your holdings.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 
Q.     When and where is the Annual Meeting of Stockholders being held?
 
A.      The 2012 Annual Meeting is being held on September 18, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. local time, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel, One Old Golf Course Road, Monterey, California.
 
Q.      Who is entitled to vote and how many votes do I have?
 
A.      You may vote at the 2012 Annual Meeting if you owned shares of our common stock at the close of business on July 24, 2012.  Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held.
 
Q.      How many shares are available to vote in the Annual Meeting?
 
A.      On July 24, 2012, the record date for the 2012 Annual Meeting, there were 88,467,048 shares of Century common stock outstanding.  
 
Q.      What constitutes a quorum for the meeting?
 
A.      The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Century’s common stock will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the 2012 Annual Meeting.  Only shares of Century common stock that are present at the Annual Meeting, either in person or represented by proxy (including shares that the holder abstains from voting or does not vote with respect to one or more of the matters present for stockholder approval), will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the meeting.


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Q.      How do I vote?
 
A.      There are four ways that you can vote your shares:
 
Internet.  The website for voting is http://www.ProxyVote.com.  To vote on the Internet, please follow the instructions provided in the Notice and have the Notice available when accessing the Internet.  The voting system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, September 17, 2012.

Telephone.  If you are located in the United States or Canada, you can vote your shares by calling 1-800-690-6903.  This is a toll-free number available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, September 17, 2012.  Please have your Notice available and follow the voice prompts to vote your shares.
 
Mail.  To vote by mail, please follow the instructions on your Notice to request a paper copy of the proxy card and proxy materials, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided with the proxy materials.  If you mail your proxy card, we must receive it before 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, September 17, 2012.
 
In Person.  If you are the stockholder of record, you may vote by attending the 2012 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. local time, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel, One Old Golf Course Road, Monterey, California. If your shares are held in “street name,” please include with your request a copy of the legal proxy from your bank, broker or other holder of record that authorizes you to vote the shares that the record holder holds for you in its name. Please contact your bank or broker for information on obtaining a legal proxy if your shares are held in “street name.”

If you plan to attend the meeting, you will need an admission ticket. To obtain an admission ticket, please write to: Century Aluminum Company, 2511 Garden Road, Building A, Suite 200, Monterey, CA 93940, Attention: Admission Ticket or email admissionticket@centuryca.com.

Q.      What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
 
A.      Most of our stockholders hold their shares through a stock broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some differences between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.
 
Stockholder of Record.   If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services LLC, you are considered the stockholder of record of those shares.  As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to us or to vote in person at the 2012 Annual Meeting.
 
Beneficial Owner.   If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name.”  The Notice is being forwarded to you by your broker or nominee, who is considered to be the stockholder of record for those shares.  As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote.  Your broker or nominee has enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use in directing your broker or nominee as to how to vote your shares.  As a beneficial holder, you are invited to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting; however, because you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the 2012 Annual Meeting unless you obtain a signed proxy from the record holder giving you the right to vote the shares.

Q.      How do I vote my shares that are held in a Century 401(k) plan?
 
A.      If you participate in one of Century’s 401(k) plans, you must provide the trustee of the 401(k) plan with your voting instructions in advance of the meeting.  You may do this by returning your voting instructions by mail, or submitting them by telephone or the Internet.  You cannot vote shares held in a Century 401(k) plan in person at the 2012 Annual Meeting; only the plan trustee can directly vote your shares.  The trustee will vote your shares as you have instructed. If the trustee does not receive your instructions, your shares generally will be voted in proportion to the way the other plan participants voted.  To allow sufficient time for voting by the trustee, your voting instructions must be received before September 14, 2012.
 

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Q.      May I change my vote?
 
A.      Yes.  If you are the stockholder of record, you may revoke a proxy or change your voting instructions by:
Ÿ
delivering a written notice of revocation or later-dated proxy to our Secretary at or before the taking of the vote at the 2012 Annual Meeting;
Ÿ
changing your vote instructions via the Internet up to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 17, 2012 (the day before the 2012 Annual Meeting);
Ÿ
changing your vote instructions via the telephone up to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 17, 2012; or
Ÿ
voting in person at the 2012 Annual Meeting.
If you hold your shares in one of Century’s 401(k) plans, notify the plan trustee in writing prior to September 14, 2012, that your voting instructions are revoked or should be changed.
 
If your shares are held in “street name,” you must follow the specific instructions provided to you to change or revoke any instructions that you may have already provided to your bank, broker or other nominee.

Q.      What are the voting requirements to elect the directors and to approve each of the proposals discussed in this proxy statement?
 
A.      Directors are elected by a plurality of votes, which means that the nominee that receives the highest number of votes will be elected as a director, even if a nominee does not receive a majority of the votes cast.  Proposals No. 1 (board declassification) and No. 2 (shareholder right to call a special meeting) require the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock entitled to vote. Proposals No. 4 (ratification of auditors) and No. 5 (advisory vote on executive compensation) require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast.

Your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions.  Abstentions will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum for a matter, but will not be counted as a vote in favor of such matter.  Accordingly, an abstention from voting on a matter will not be counted for the purposes of electing directors and will have the same effect as a vote against other matters.

Q.      Why is it important that I instruct my broker how to vote?

A.    Under SEC rules, if you own shares in “street name” through a broker and do not instruct your broker how to vote, your broker may not vote your shares on proposals determined to be “non-routine.” Of the proposals included in this proxy statement, only the proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012 is considered to be “routine”. The other proposals are considered to be “non-routine” matters.  Therefore, if you do not provide your bank, broker or other nominee holding your shares in “street name” with voting instructions, those shares will count for quorum purposes, but will not be counted as shares present and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Therefore, it is important that you provide voting instructions to your broker.
Q.     What is “householding”?
A.    In addition to furnishing proxy materials over the Internet, the Company takes advantage of the SEC’s “householding” rules to reduce the delivery cost of materials. Under such rules, only one Notice or, if paper copies are requested, only one Proxy Statement, Annual Report and Form 10-K are delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless the Company has received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. If a stockholder sharing an address wishes to receive a separate Notice or copy of the proxy materials, he or she may so request by contacting Broadridge Householding Department by phone at 1-800-542-1061 or by mail to Broadridge Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717. A separate copy will be promptly provided following receipt of a stockholder’s request, and such stockholder will receive separate materials in the future.  Any stockholder currently sharing an address with another stockholder but nonetheless receiving separate copies of the materials may request delivery of a single copy in the future by contacting Broadridge Householding Department at the number or address shown above.


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PROPOSAL NO. 1:   ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO DECLASSIFY OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND PROVIDE FOR THE ANNUAL ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation ("Certificate of Incorporation") currently provides that the Board will be divided into three classes, with one class to be elected by the stockholders every year, thereby making the term of each class of Directors three years. Upon the recommendation of the Governance and Nominating Committee, the Board has approved, and recommends to the stockholders for approval, an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to require that all Directors be elected annually. As discussed below, the transition to annual election of Directors will be phased in over time and will apply to all directors following the 2014 annual meeting. The proposal is a result of our ongoing review of corporate governance matters. The Board, assisted by the Governance and Nominating Committee, considered the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining the current classified board structure. In reaching its recommendation, the Board and the Governance and Nominating Committee considered a number of factors, including the growing sentiment among stockholders and the investment community in favor of annual elections.

Under this proposed amendment, all directors standing for election would be elected for one-year terms as follows:

•
Each director elected at the 2012 Annual Meeting would be elected for a one-year term or until his successor is elected;
•
Directors previously elected for three-year terms ending in 2013 and 2014 will continue to serve out these terms so that no director previously elected to a three-year term would have his term shortened;
•
Directors standing for election at the 2013 Annual Meeting, the 2014 Annual Meeting and each annual meeting thereafter will be elected for a term ending at the next Annual Meeting and until their successors are elected; and
•
Any director elected to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors (whether by reason of an increase in the number of authorized directors or due to the death, resignation or removal of a director) will hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his or her successor is elected.

Presently, because of the classified board structure, the directors are removable only for cause and only upon the vote of 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Upon adoption of the proposed amendment, directors would be removable “with or without cause” upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

If the proposed amendment is not approved by the stockholders, the Board will retain its current classified structure, and each director elected at the 2012 Annual Meeting will be elected for a three-year term expiring in 2015. All other directors will continue in office for the remainder of their full three-year terms, subject to their early retirement, resignation, removal or death. The proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is set forth in Appendix A to this Proxy Statement with deletions indicated by strikeouts and additions indicated by underlining.

Approval of this proposal would require the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock entitled to vote on the proposal. Upon adoption of the proposed amendment, the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock entitled to vote will be needed to make future changes to this Article of the Certificate of Incorporation.

The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” the adoption and approval of this amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation.



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PROPOSAL NO. 2:   ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION GRANTING STOCKHOLDERS OWNING NOT LESS THAN 10% OF OUR OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK THE RIGHT TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Our Certificate of Incorporation currently provides that a special meeting of stockholders may only be called by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Upon the recommendation of the Governance and Nominating Committee, the Board has approved, and recommends to the stockholders for approval, an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation that would also permit stockholders who have owned, in the aggregate, at least ten (10%) percent of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company continuously for at least one year to call a special meeting of stockholders by written request filed with the Secretary of the Company, provided that such written request is made in accordance with certain procedural and informational requirements set forth in the Bylaws.

The proposal is a result of our ongoing review of corporate governance matters. The Board and Governance and Nominating Committee support the concept of providing stockholders with the right to call special meetings, provided that the meeting is called by stockholders owning a significant percentage of the shares of the Company for a non-transitory period of time. They believe that establishing a 10% ownership threshold, and one-year holding period, to request a special meeting strikes a reasonable balance between enhancing stockholder rights and protecting against the risk that a small minority of stockholders, including stockholders with special interests, could call one or more special meetings that could result in unnecessary financial expense and disruption to our business. The Board believes that special meetings should only be called to consider extraordinary events that are of interest to a broad base of stockholders and that cannot be delayed until the next annual meeting. Additionally, preparing for a stockholder meeting requires significant attention of our directors, officers and employees, diverting their attention away from performing their primary function of operating the Company's business in the best interests of our stockholders.

The proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is set forth in Appendix B to this Proxy Statement with deletions indicated by strikeouts and additions indicated by underlining.
If the proposed amendment is approved by the stockholders, the Board of Directors will consider amendments to our Bylaws to adopt procedural and other provisions, including notice and timing restrictions, relating to the stockholders' right to call special meetings.
Approval of this proposal would require the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock entitled to vote on the proposal.

The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” the adoption and approval of this amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.


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PROPOSAL NO. 3: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
Our Certificate of Incorporation currently provides for a Board of Directors divided into three classes, with the term of office of one class expiring each year, meaning that our stockholders elect approximately one-third of our Directors at each annual meeting. Each Director is currently elected for a term of three years.

The term of office of our Class I directors will expire at this year's annual meeting. Two of our current Class I directors, Messrs. John C. Fontaine and Willy R. Strothotte, will not be standing for reelection. As a result, following the 2012 Annual Meeting, the size of our Board will be reduced from 10 to 8 directors. As discussed above, pursuant to Proposal No. 1, the stockholders are being asked to approve and adopt an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to declassify our Board of Directors. On the nomination of our Board, Jarl Berntzen will stand for re-election as a director at this year's annual meeting to serve (i) for a one-year term expiring at our annual meeting in 2013 or until his successor has been elected and qualified if Proposal No. 1 is approved by the stockholders, or (ii) for a three-year term expiring at our annual meeting in 2015 or until his successor has been elected and qualified if Proposal No. 1 is not approved by the stockholders.

The persons named as proxies intend to vote for the election of each of the nominees listed below unless you indicate on the proxy card that your vote should be withheld from the nominee.  If the nominee declines or is unable to serve, the persons named as proxies will use their best judgment in voting for any available nominee.  Mr. Berntzen has indicated his willingness to serve if elected and the Board of Directors has no reason to believe that he will not be available to serve.  

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications set out by the Board of Directors, Mr. Berntzen and our existing directors bring strong and unique backgrounds and skills to the Board, giving the Board, as a whole, competence and experience in a wide variety of areas, including board service, corporate governance, compensation, executive management, finance, mining, operations, manufacturing, marketing, government, law, international business and health, safety, environmental and social responsibility.

 
Set forth below is background information (as of July 23, 2012), including the qualifications, attributes or skills that led the Board of Directors to conclude that such person should be nominated to serve as a member of the Board of Directors, for Mr. Berntzen as well as the standing members of our Board whose terms expire in 2013 and 2014.  


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Class I Director Nominee with a Term to Expire in 2013(1)
 
Name
 
Age
 
Business Experience and Principal Occupation or
Employment During Past 5 Years; Other Directorships
 
Director Since
Jarl Berntzen
45
Senior Director, Corporate Development of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. since 2011; Director, Corporate Development for Rambus, Inc. since November 2010; Founder, Global Strategic Advisers, LLC from March 2009 to October 2010; Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Interlachen Capital Group from August 2008 through February 2009; Partner-Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, ThinkEquity Partners LLC from March 2006 to August 2008; Director of Universal Safety Response, Inc. from October 2007 to April 2009; Senior Vice President, Barrington Associates Inc. from April 2005 to February 2006; and Founder, Berntzen Capital Management, LLC from March 2003 to April 2005. 
Mr. Berntzen has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”), financial restructurings and corporate development activities, having served in senior M&A advisory positions at several international investment banks and advisory firms, including more than 10 years with Goldman, Sachs & Co., in addition to his experience with ThinkEquity Partners LLC and Barrington Associates.  Mr. Berntzen’s financial acumen, investment banking experience and international M&A and restructuring experience provides insight to the Board when considering Century’s operational restructuring and growth and development objectives.  Mr. Berntzen has also served on the Compensation and Governance and Nominating Committees and currently serves on the Audit Committee where he has been designated an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and as Chair of the Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee.  In addition, Mr. Berntzen is a citizen of Norway and provides international perspective and diversity to the Board.
2006
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Mr. Berntzen is nominated as a Class I Director to serve (i) for a one-year term expiring at our annual meeting in 2013 if Proposal No. 1 is approved by the stockholders or (ii) for a three-year term expiring at our annual meeting in 2015 if Proposal No. 1 is not approved by the stockholders.



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Class II Directors with Terms Expiring in 2013
Name
Age
Business Experience and Principal Occupation or
Employment During Past 5 Years; Other Directorships
Director Since
Daniel Goldberg
34
Asset and Investment Manager of the Aluminum and Alumina Department of Glencore International AG since February 2005.  Director of various Glencore-controlled entities.
Mr. Goldberg was appointed to our Board of Directors by Glencore International AG ("Glencore"), our largest stockholder, in accordance with a support agreement, dated April 6, 2010 between Glencore and the Company (the “2010 Support Agreement”).  Under the 2010 Support Agreement, following Ivan Glasenberg’s resignation from the Board in January 2011, Glencore was entitled to designate a director (in addition to the directors it is entitled to designate for nomination pursuant to the Standstill and Governance Agreement and the support agreement, dated April 5, 2011, between Glencore and the Company (the "2011 Support Agreement"), reasonably acceptable to Century, for appointment to the Board to replace Mr. Glasenberg until the 2013 Annual Meeting.  Prior to Mr. Goldberg’s appointment, our Governance and Nominating Committee considered Glencore’s input as our largest stockholder and following review of Mr. Goldberg’s credentials, determined that Mr. Goldberg would add valuable expertise in the metals and mining industry by virtue of his experience as Asset and Investment Manager of the Aluminum and Alumina Department at Glencore.  Mr. Goldberg provides extensive experience in all stages of aluminum production from alumina production to aluminum refining, production and marketing.  In addition, as a South African citizen and a resident of Switzerland, Mr. Goldberg provides international perspective and diversity to the Board.

2011
Peter C. Jones
64
Director of Concordia Resources Corp. since March 2012; Director of Red Crescent Resources Limited (formerly NiCo Mining Limited) since August 2009; Director of Royal Nickel Corp. since December 2008; Director of Mizuho Corporate Bank (Canada) from December 2006 to May 2010; Director of Iamgold Corporation from May 2006 to May 2011 and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer from January to November 2010; Chairman of Lakota Resources from December 2008 to October 2009; Director, President and Chief Operating Officer of Inco Ltd from April 2002 to November 2006; President Commissioner of PT Inco TBK from 1999 to 2006; Chairman Goro Nickel SAS from 2003 to February 2007; Member of the Board and Executive Committee, Mining Association of Canada from 1997 to 2006; and Member of the Board, Royal Ontario Museum from 2003 to 2006. 
Mr. Jones has over 40 years of experience in the metals and mining industries, including both underground and open pit mining, smelting and refining of multiple base and precious metals.  Mr. Jones has executive level experience including serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting, President and Chief Operating Officer of Inco Limited and Chief Executive Officer of Iamgold, and brings extensive operational experience and perspective to the Board’s deliberations. Mr. Jones also has extensive experience as a director of public companies and his service as Chairman of Iamgold Corporation’s and Century’s Compensation Committees and as a member of various other audit, corporate governance, environmental, health and safety committees adds substantial governance and compensation expertise to the Board.  In addition, as a dual-citizen of Canada and the United Kingdom and having lived and worked in a number of different countries, Mr. Jones provides international perspective and diversity to the Board.

2007

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Class II Directors with Terms Expiring in 2013
Name
Age
Business Experience and Principal Occupation or
Employment During Past 5 Years; Other Directorships
Director Since
Andrew Michelmore
59
Chief Executive Officer of Minmetals Resources since December 2010; Chief Executive Officer of Minerals and Metals Group since June 2009; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of OZ Minerals LTD from June 2008 to June 2009; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Zinifex Limited from February 2008 to June 2008; Chief Executive Officer of EN+ Group from January 2006 to September 2007; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of WMC Resources from February 1993 to June 2005; Director of RUSAL from February 2006 to March 2007; Director of United Company RUSAL plc from March 2007 to September 2007; Chairman of the Jean Hailes Foundation since 1996; and Chairman of Ormond College Council since 2003.
Mr. Michelmore was identified to our Board of Directors by Glencore.  Although Glencore did not have any contractual rights to designate Mr. Michelmore for nomination, our Governance and Nominating Committee considered Glencore’s input as our largest stockholder and following review of Mr. Michelmore’s credentials, determined that Mr. Michelmore would add valuable expertise to the Board in the metals and mining industry by virtue of his experience as Chief Executive Officer of Minerals and Metals Group and previous experience as Chief Executive Officer of Zinifex, Oz Minerals, EN+ Group and WMC Resources.  Following such review, Mr. Michelmore was nominated for election pursuant to the terms of the 2010 Support Agreement.  Mr. Michelmore also adds valuable engineering and international business experience to the Board by virtue of his positions as a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Institution of Engineers Australia and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and a member of the Minerals Council of Australia and the Business Council of Australia.  In addition, as an Australian citizen and having lived and worked in a number of different countries, Mr. Michelmore provides international diversity and perspective to the Board.
2010
John P. O’Brien
71
Chairman of the Board of the Company from January 2008 to June 2011; Member of the Board of North Coast Minerals, Inc. since July 2012; Director and President of Chagrin Nolls Condominium Association since June 2012; Managing Director of Inglewood Associates Inc. since 1990; Chairman of Allied Construction Products since March 1993; Director of Preformed Line Products Company from May 2004 to May 2008; Director of Globe Speciality Metals from May 2008 to October 2008; Director of Oglebay Norton Company from April 2003 to February 2008; Member of the Board of Trustees of Saint Luke’s Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio since 2006; Trustee of Cleveland Sight Center since 1990; Chairman, Chagrin Falls Board of Zoning Appeals from 2005 to January 2010; Member of the Advisory Committee of the Carver Family Center for Macular Degeneration, University of Iowa School of Medicine since June 2009; Member of the Advisory Council, Macular Degeneration Center, Case Western Reserve University Medical School since October 2009; and Trustee of Downtown Chagrin Falls from 2000 to 2008, Director of Legacy Health Services since 2011 and member of the Advisory Board of SS&G certified public accountants since 2011.
With Mr. O’Brien’s over 11 years experience on our Board and his service as a director of Preformed Line Products and other aluminum purchasers, Mr. O’Brien provides our Board with valuable experience in the aluminum industry.  In addition, he has spent over 18 years as Chairman of Allied Construction Products and has served as a director of numerous other public companies.  The Board benefits from Mr. O’Brien’s proven business acumen and leadership skills in his service as Chairman of the Board.  Mr. O’Brien also has extensive restructuring
                                                                              (continued on the next page)
2000

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Name
Age
Business Experience and Principal Occupation or
Employment During Past 5 Years; Other Directorships
Director Since
 
 

(continued from previous page)
experience from his time spent as a Managing Director of Inglewood Associates Inc. and as Chairman of the Restructuring Committee of the Board of Directors of Oglebay Norton Company, which has proven valuable to the Board when considering Century’s operational restructuring and growth and development objectives.  Mr. O’Brien’s service on the board of several non-profit health organizations brings valuable diversity to the Board’s considerations of health, safety and sustainability matters.  Mr. O’Brien serves as Chair of the Audit Committee and has been designated an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in the regulations of the SEC.
 

Class III Directors with Terms Expiring in 2014

 
Name
 
Age
Business Experience and Principal Occupation or
Employment During Past 5 Years; Other Directorships
Director Since
Andrew J. Caplan
42
Manager of the Bauxite and Alumina Department of Glencore International AG since 2007.  Director of various Glencore-controlled entities and the International Aluminum Institute.
Mr. Caplan was appointed to our Board of Directors by Glencore in accordance with a support agreement, dated April 5, 2011 (the "2011 Support Agreement").  Under the 2011 Support Agreement, following Steven Blumgart’s resignation from the Board in March 2012, Glencore was entitled to designate a director, reasonably acceptable to Century, for appointment to the Board to replace Mr. Blumgart until the 2013 Annual Meeting. Prior to Mr. Caplans's appointment, our Governance and Nominating Committee considered Glencore's input as our largest stockholder and following review of Mr. Caplan's credentials, determined that Mr. Caplan would add valuable expertise in the metals and mining industry by virtue of his experience as the Manager of Bauxite and Alumina at Glencore.  As Glencore's Manager of Bauxite and Alumina, Mr. Caplan provides extensive knowledge of a key component in the primary aluminum reduction process.
2012
Steven Kalmin
41
Chief Financial Officer of Glencore International AG since July 2005.  Director of various Glencore-controlled entities.
Mr. Kalmin was designated for election to our Board of Directors by Glencore in accordance with the 2011 Support Agreement.  Mr. Kalmin has extensive financial expertise by virtue of his experience as Chief Financial Officer of Glencore.  In addition, as an Australian citizen and a resident of Switzerland, Mr. Kalmin provides international perspective and diversity to the Board.
 
2011
 
Terence Wilkinson
66
Our Chairman of the Board since June 2011; Senior Independent Director of Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation Plc since December 2011; Director of Triland Metals Ltd. since 1998; Chief Executive Officer of Ridge Mining Plc from November 2000 to August 2009; Director of Angara Mining Plc from June 2008 to August 2009; Chief Executive Officer of Lonrho South Africa Limited from 1985 to 1996; Director and Chief Operating Officer of Lonmin Plc from 1997 to1999; Director of Lamensdorf Group from March 2002 to 2003. 
Mr. Wilkinson was designated for nomination to our Board of Directors by Glencore in accordance with the 2011 Support Agreement.  Mr. Wilkinson has valuable metals and mining experience by virtue of the many leadership positions he has held in the metals and mining industry, including as CEO of Ridge Mining Plc, CEO of the Lonrho Group’s South African division and Director and Chief Operating Officer of Lonmin Plc.  In addition, as a dual South African and British citizen, Mr. Wilkinson provides international perspective and diversity to the Board.
2011

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Corporate Governance and Other Board Matters
 
Our Board of Directors presently consists of ten directors, but will be reduced to eight directors following the 2012 Annual Meeting as two of our current Class I directors, Messrs. Fontaine and Strothotte, will not be standing for reelection.. The Board, which is responsible for supervision of the overall affairs of Century, establishes corporate policies, sets strategic direction, and oversees management, which is responsible for Century's day-to-day operations.  The Board met nine times during 2011.

Board Leadership Structure
 
The Board of Directors selects the Chairman of the Board in the manner and upon the criteria that it deems best for the Company at the time of selection. The Board of Directors has not adopted a policy regarding whether the roles of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be separate or combined, but recognizes the value to the Company of the separation of these positions and having an independent director serve as Chairman.  The Board will continue to evaluate whether this leadership structure is in the best interests of the stockholders on a regular basis.
 
Our Chairman, Mr. Wilkinson, presides over each Board meeting and independent directors meeting. The Chairman serves as liaison between the Chief Executive Officer and the other directors, approves meeting agendas and schedules and notifies other members of the Board of Directors regarding any significant concerns of stockholders or interested parties of which he becomes aware. The Chairman presides over stockholders meetings and provides advice and counsel to the Chief Executive Officer.

Board Oversight of Risk Management
 
The Board of Directors is engaged in company-wide risk management oversight.  The Board of Directors relies upon the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, General Counsel and other executive officers of the Company to supervise day-to-day risk management and to bring material risks to the Board's attention.  Each of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and General Counsel provide reports directly to the Board of Directors and certain Board committees, as appropriate.  Directors may also from time to time rely on the advice of our outside advisors and auditors provided they have a reasonable basis for such reliance.
 
The Board of Directors also delegates certain oversight responsibilities to its Board committees. Descriptions of the various Board Committees are set forth below. The full Board considers strategic risks and opportunities and regularly receives detailed reports from the committees regarding risk oversight in their areas of responsibility.  For example, while the primary responsibility for financial and other reporting, internal controls, compliance with laws and regulations, and ethics rests with the management of the Company, the Audit Committee provides risk oversight with respect to the Company's financial statements, the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and corporate policies and controls related to the financial statements, the independent auditor's selection, retention, qualifications, objectivity and independence, and the performance of the Company's internal audit function. The Governance and Nominating Committee considers risks related to succession planning and oversees the appropriate allocation of responsibility for risk oversight among the committees of the Board.  The Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee provides oversight of risks relating to Century's policies and management systems with respect to health, safety and sustainability matters.  See “Compensation Committee” below for a discussion of the Board of Directors' consideration of compensation-related risks.

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Board Committees and Meeting Attendance
 
To assist it in carrying out its duties, the Board has established various standing committees.  Each standing committee of the Board and its members are listed in the table below:  
Name
Audit
Compensation
Governance & Nominating
Health, Safety & Sustainability
Jarl Berntzen
X
 
 
  X*
John C. Fontaine
 
 
X
 
Daniel Goldberg
 
X
X
 
Peter C. Jones
 
 
  X*
X
Andrew Michelmore
 
  X*
 
X
John P. O'Brien
  X*
 
 
 
Terence Wilkinson
X
X
 
 
 * Committee Chair
 
 
 
 
 
The Board designates the members of each committee and the committee chair annually based on the recommendations of the Governance and Nominating Committee.  The Board has adopted written charters for each of its committees, which are available in the “Investors” section of our website, www.centuryaluminum.com, under the tab “Corporate Governance.”  During 2011, overall attendance at Board and committee meetings was 98%.  Due to prior commitments, Mr. Kalmin was unable to attend certain board meetings held following his election at the 2011 annual meeting and, as a result, his attendance at Board meetings in 2011 was less than 75%. We encourage, but do not require, the attendance of Board members at our annual meetings.  All of our directors, except Mr. Blumgart, attended the 2011 Annual Meeting in person or by telephone.

Independent Directors
 
The Board has determined that Messrs. Berntzen, Fontaine, Jones, Michelmore, O'Brien and Wilkinson are independent directors under the criteria established by the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”).  Our independent directors are scheduled to meet in executive session without the presence of management no fewer than two times each year.  The independent directors met eight times in 2011.
Audit Committee
 
  The Audit Committee, among other things:
    
•
oversees the financial reporting process for which management is responsible;
•
appoints and oversees the engagement of the independent auditors for audit and non-audit services;
•
monitors the independence of the independent auditors;
•
reviews and approves all audit and non-audit services and fees;
•
reviews the scope and results of the audit with the independent auditors;
•
reviews the scope and results of internal audit procedures with our internal auditors;
•
evaluates and discusses with the independent auditors and management the effectiveness of our system of internal accounting controls and assessment of fraud risk;
•
appoints and oversees the engagement of the Company's internal audit function, including internal audit plan and results;
•
reviews current and pending material litigation with management;
•
conducts or directs investigations of any allegations of material violations of securities laws, fiduciary duties or similar allegations;
•
reviews and oversees the Company's risk management assessment and procedures;
•
reviews and approves related party transactions pursuant to our Statement of Company Policy Regarding Related Party Transactions; and
•
makes inquiries into other matters within the scope of its duties.

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     During 2011, Messrs. Berntzen, Fishman, Michelmore, O'Brien and Wilkinson and Ms. Manning served on the Audit Committee for some period of time.  Effective June 7, 2011, Messrs. Fishman and Michelmore and Ms. Manning were succeeded on the Audit Committee by Mr. Wilkinson.  The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is “independent,” as required under applicable NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).  In addition, the Board has determined that Messrs. Berntzen and O'Brien are “audit committee financial experts” within the meaning set forth in regulations of the SEC.  Mr. O'Brien has served as Chair of the Audit Committee since June 7, 2011 and previously served as Chair of the Audit Committee from 2001 to 2008.  In 2011, the Audit Committee held four meetings.  

Compensation Committee
 
The Compensation Committee reviews and establishes the compensation for our executive officers and has oversight responsibility for administering and awarding grants under our Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1996 Plan”).   During 2011, Messrs. Berntzen, Fontaine, Goldberg, Jones, Michelmore, O'Brien, Thompson and Wilkinson served on the Compensation Committee for some period of time.  Messrs. Berntzen, Fontaine, Jones, O'Brien and Thompson were succeeded on the Compensation Committee by Messrs. Goldberg, Michelmore and Wilkinson on June 7, 2011.  Mr. Jones was succeeded as Chair of the Compensation Committee by Mr. Michelmore. With the exception of Mr. Goldberg, each member of the Compensation Committee is “independent” as required under applicable NASDAQ listing standards.  The Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders for Mr. Goldberg to serve as a member of the Compensation Committee due to his unique and extensive knowledge of the aluminum industry by virtue of his position as Asset and Investment Manager of the Aluminum and Alumina Department of Glencore.  Mr. Goldberg was not determined to be “independent” as defined under the applicable NASDAQ listing standards due to his position with Glencore.  The Compensation Committee held ten meetings in 2011.

The Compensation Committee reviews the relationship between our risk management policies and practices and the incentive compensation we provide to our named executives to confirm that our incentive compensation does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risks. The Compensation Committee also reviews the relationship between risk management policies and practices, corporate strategy and senior executive compensation.  Our compensation programs are discretionary, balanced and focused on the long-term. Under this structure, management can achieve the highest amount of compensation through consistent superior performance over extended periods of time. This incentivizes management to manage the Company for the long term and to avoid excessive risk-taking in the short-term. Goals and objectives reflect a balanced mix of quantitative and qualitative performance measures to avoid excessive weight on a single performance measure and the elements of compensation are similarly balanced among cash, time-vested performance share units (which do not contain any performance based vesting requirements), shares of Century stock and stock options. With limited exceptions, the Compensation Committee retains absolute discretion to modify or eliminate any incentive awards if the Committee determines such actions are warranted.  Based on its assessment of our compensation policies and practices, the Compensation Committee has determined that it is not reasonably likely that Century's compensation and benefit plans would have a material adverse effect on Century.

Governance and Nominating Committee
 
The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for, among other things:     
•
evaluating the size and composition of the Board;
•
identifying, recruiting and recommending candidates for election to the Board and its committees;
•
overseeing corporate governance matters; and
•
reviewing and making periodic recommendations concerning our corporate governance policies and procedures.
     During 2011, Messrs. Berntzen, Blumgart, Fishman, Fontaine, Glasenberg, Jones and Thompson served on the Governance and Nominating Committee for some period of time.  On June 7, 2011, Messrs. Berntzen, Fishman and Thompson were succeeded on the Governance and Nominating Committee by Messrs. Jones and Blumgart.  Mr. Thompson was succeeded as the Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee by Mr. Jones on June 7, 2011.  Mr. Glasenberg served as a member of the Governance and Nominating Committee from September 2010 until his resignation from the Board in January 2011.  With the exception of Messrs. Goldberg, Glasenberg and Blumgart, each member of the Governance and Nominating Committee is “independent” as required under applicable NASDAQ listing standards.  The Board had determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders for Mr. Goldberg, and prior to their respective resignations, for Mr. Glasenberg and Mr. Blumgart, to serve as members of the Governance and Nominating Committee due to their unique and extensive knowledge of the aluminum and metals and mining industries by virtue of their respective position as Asset and

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Investment Manager of the Aluminum and Alumina Department, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Director of the Aluminum and Alumina Department of Glencore.  None of Messrs. Goldberg, Glasenberg or Mr. Blumgart were determined to be “independent” as defined under applicable NASDAQ listing standards due to their positions with Glencore.  In 2011, the Governance and Nominating Committee held five meetings.
 
The Governance and Nominating Committee solicits recommendations for potential Board nominees from a variety of sources, including directors, officers, other individuals with whom the Governance and Nominating Committee members are familiar, through its own research, and third-party research.  The Governance and Nominating Committee also considers nominees recommended by stockholders who submit such recommendations in writing to our Corporate Secretary.  The qualifications and standards the Governance and Nominating Committee will apply in evaluating any recommendations for nomination to the Board include, but are not limited to:    
•
significant business or public company experience;
•
a willingness and ability to make a sufficient time commitment to Century's affairs to perform effectively the duties of a director, including regular attendance at Board and committee meetings;
•
skills in finance, international business and knowledge about Century's business or industries;
•
personal qualities of leadership, character, judgment and integrity; and
•
requirements relating to composition of the Board under applicable law and listing standards.
      The Governance and Nominating Committee also strongly considers diversity when evaluating any recommendations for nominations to the Board.  The Governance and Nominating Committee takes into consideration each potential nominee's diverse attributes and variety of experiences and viewpoints but does not make decisions to include or exclude a potential nominee solely or largely based on race, ethnicity, gender, national origin or sexual orientation.  While the Board has not adopted a formal policy with respect to diversity, the Governance and Nominating Committee believes that diversity is an important aspect in Board composition.  In selecting a director nominee, the Governance and Nominating Committee focuses on skills, education, experience and qualities that would complement the existing Board, recognizing our diverse global business structure.  Reflecting this diversity, our Board consists of directors who are citizens of eight different nations.  Our directors come from diverse business backgrounds including financial, legal, industrial, non-profit and governmental.

Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee
 
The Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee (the “HSS Committee”) was formed in 2008 to assist the Board with regard to oversight of Century's policies and management systems with respect to health, safety and sustainability matters. Specifically, the HSS Committee is responsible for the regular review of Century's health, safety and sustainability policies and related practices, assessments, performance, compliance and reporting.  The HSS Committee must meet at least twice a year and provide recommendations to the Board.  During 2011, Messrs. Fishman, Jones, Michelmore, Berntzen and Thompson and Ms. Manning served on the HSS Committee for some period of time.  Messrs. Fishman and Thompson and Ms. Manning were succeeded on the HSS Committee by Messrs. Michelmore and Berntzen on June 7, 2011 with Mr. Berntzen replacing Mr. Fishman as Chairman of the Committee. The HSS Committee held four meetings in 2011.

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors
 
Stockholders may communicate with the Board or any individual director(s) by sending a written communication in an envelope addressed to the Board or the appropriate director(s) in care of our Corporate Secretary, addressed to:  Corporate Secretary, Century Aluminum Company, 2511 Garden Road, Building A, Suite 200, Monterey, California 93940.
 

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 Code of Ethics
 
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller. A copy of the code of ethics is available on our Internet website at www.centuryaluminum.com and a copy will be mailed to any person, without charge, upon written request addressed to:  Corporate Secretary, Century Aluminum Company, 2511 Garden Road, Building A, Suite 200, Monterey, California 93940.
 
We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of our code of ethics on behalf of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Accounting Officer or Controller and persons performing similar functions, on our website at www.centuryaluminum.com.

Directors' Compensation
 
Directors who are full-time salaried employees of Century are not compensated for their service on the Board.  The Board believes that compensation for non-employee directors should be a mix of cash and equity-based compensation.  Effective March 24, 2009, the Board determined that non-employee, non-independent Board members will receive compensation only in cash.  This change affords the Company the ability to avoid indirectly increasing the beneficial ownership of any stockholder at whose direction a member of our Board serves.  The Compensation Committee evaluates the appropriate level and form of compensation for non-employee directors at least annually and recommends changes to the Board when appropriate.  The Board reviews the committee's recommendations and determines the amount of director compensation.
 
Equity Awards, Meeting Fees and Retainers. In 2011, each independent director continuing in office after the Annual Meeting of stockholders received an annual grant of time-based performance share units valued at $75,000.  These time-based performance share units vest 100% on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.  The shares were granted on the business day following the 2011 annual meeting based on the average closing price of Century's common stock for the 30 trading days preceding the grant date.  In addition, each newly elected independent director received a one-time grant of 1,000 time-based performance share units that vest 50% following 12 months of service and 50% following 24 months of service.  Vesting of time-based performance share unit awards are subject to acceleration under certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of the award agreement.
  
During 2011, non-employee directors (other than Messrs. Glasenberg, Strothotte, Blumgart, Goldberg and Kalmin, who waived their rights to receive compensation, and Chairman Wilkinson, who received the amount noted below) received an annual retainer of $45,000 for their services. Mr. Wilkinson, as Chairman of the Board, received an annual retainer of $110,000. The Chairs of the Audit and Compensation Committees each received an additional $10,000 and the Chairs of the Governance and Nominating and Health, Safety and Sustainability Committees each received an additional $5,000 annual retainer. In addition, each non-employee director received a fee of $2,000 for each Board or Board committee meeting attended. The Chair of the Audit Committee received an additional $1,000 per Audit Committee meeting attended.
 
The equity awards, meeting fees and retainers above, were set in 2009 based on a competitive assessment of director pay practices among the peer companies used for our executive compensation benchmarking.  In 2011, the Compensation Committee reviewed Century's director pay practices and determined to leave them unchanged for 2011.  
 
Expense Reimbursement.  All directors were reimbursed for their travel and other expenses incurred in attending Board and Board committee meetings, other than Messrs. Blumgart, Glasenberg, Goldberg, Kalmin and Strothotte, who waived their right to receive expense reimbursement.
 

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The following table sets forth the compensation paid to each director in 2011.
  
2011 Director Compensation
Director (a)
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) (b)
Stock Awards ($) (c)
Total ($)
Jarl Berntzen
 
107,500

 
 
65,280

 
 
172,780

 
Steven Blumgart
 
—

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
Robert Fishman
 
49,000

 
 
—

 
 
49,000

 
John C. Fontaine
 
99,000

 
 
65,280

 
 
164,280

 
Ivan Glasenberg
 
—

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
Daniel Goldberg
 
—

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
Peter C. Jones
 
108,500

 
 
65,280

 
 
173,780

 
Steven Kalmin
 
—

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
Catherine Manning
 
47,500

 
 
—

 
 
47,500

 
Andrew Michelmore
 
86,000

 
 
65,280

 
 
151,280

 
John P. O'Brien
 
136,500

 
 
65,280

 
 
201,780

 
Willy R. Strothotte
 
—

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
Jack Thompson
 
61,000

 
 
—

 
 
61,000

 
Terence Wilkinson
 
81,000

 
 
79,580

 
 
160,580

 
(a)
Represents all non-employee continuing directors that served on the Board during 2011.  Mr. Kruger did not receive additional compensation for serving as a Board member in 2011.
(b)
Represents retainer and meeting fees paid to each non-employee director during 2011 (other than Messrs. Blumgart, Glasenberg, Goldberg, Kalmin and Strothotte, who waived their right to receive compensation).
(c)
Represents the June 8, 2011 grant date fair value of stock awarded to Board members (other than Messrs. Blumgart, Goldberg, Kalmin and Strothotte who waived their right to receive compensation), calculated in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation - Stock Compensation.  Additionally, upon becoming a director, Mr. Wilkinson received a one-time initial award of 1,000 performance shares.
 
The following table sets forth the number of outstanding options and stock awards as of December 31, 2011:

Name
Number of Options Outstanding as of 12/31/2011(a)
Number of Stock Awards Outstanding as of 12/31/2011(b)
Jarl Berntzen
 
16,000

 
 
4,565

 
Steven Blumgart
 
—

 
 
—

 
John C. Fontaine
 
17,000

 
 
11,297

 
Daniel Goldberg
 
—

 
 
—

 
Peter C. Jones
 
13,000

 
 
18,398

 
Steven Kalmin
 
—

 
 
—

 
Andrew Michelmore
 
—

 
 
5,065

 
John P. O'Brien
 
14,000

 
 
25,130

 
Willy R. Strothotte
 
—

(c)
 
—

 
Terence Wilkinson
 
—

 
 
5,565

 
(a)
All options were fully vested as of December 31, 2011.  
(b)
Represents time-vested performance shares held by the named director that have not yet vested or for which settlement has been deferred.
(c)
Excludes options to acquire 17,000 shares of our common stock held in Mr. Strothotte's name for Glencore.

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OWNERSHIP OF CENTURY COMMON STOCK 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
 
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the beneficial ownership of our common stock, as of the dates noted below, by each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of five percent or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock.  The percent of class shown below is based on 88,467,049 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2012.
Name
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(1)
Percent of Class
Glencore AG(2)
 
36,940,627

 
 
41.76%
 
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(3)
 
 
5,760,826

 
 
6.51%
 
(1)
Each entity has sole voting and dispositive power, except as otherwise indicated.
(2)
Based on information set forth in a Form 4 filing dated July 2, 2012, by Glencore AG, Glencore International AG and Glencore International PLC (“Glencore”).  Glencore's principal business address is Baarermattstresse 3, P.O. Box 666, CH-6341 Baar, V8, Switzerland,  In addition, the above information as to Glencore's beneficial ownership of our outstanding common stock includes 7,937,680 shares acquired through the automatic conversion of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and excludes the 8,062,320 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock owned by Glencore AG, which are convertible only upon the occurrence of events that have not transpired and that are outside of the control of Glencore AG, or in circumstances that would not result in an increase in the percentage of the outstanding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by Glencore.  In addition, Glencore has entered into cash-settled total return swaps that give Glencore economic exposure to an additional 9,129,302 shares of our common stock.
(3)
Based on information set forth in a Schedule 13G/A filing dated February 14, 2012, by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“Dimensional”).  Dimensional is an investment advisor and furnishes investment advice to four investment companies and serves as investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts (“Funds”).  As an investment advisor and/or manager, Dimensional does not possess voting and/or investment power over these shares though it may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares.  These shares are owned by the Funds and Dimensional specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities.  The principal business address of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is Palisades West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746.

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Security Ownership of Directors and Named Executive Officers
 
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of June 30, 2012 by: (i) each of our current directors, (ii) each of our named executive officers and (iii) all of our directors and named executive officers as a group.  No director or executive officer beneficially owned more than 1% of our outstanding common stock. All of our directors and named executive officers as a group beneficially owned less than 1% of our outstanding common stock.
 
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(a)
Name
Common Stock
Exercisable Stock Options(b)
Jarl Berntzen
 
26,177

 
 
16,000

 
Michael A. Bless
 
17,931

(c)
 
57,618

 
Andrew J. Caplan
 
—

(d)
 
—

 
John C. Fontaine
 
10,130

(c)
 
15,000

 
Daniel Goldberg
 
—

(d)
 
—

 
Michelle Harrison
 
19,668

 
 
22,998

 
Peter C. Jones
 
9,779

 
 
13,000

 
Steven Kalmin
 
—

(d)
 
—

 
William J. Leatherberry
 
28,469

 
 
25,288

 
Andrew Michelmore
 
7,732

 
 
—

 
John P. O'Brien
 
19,047

 
 
12,000

 
Steve Schneider
 
19,214

 
 
17,801

 
Willy R. Strothotte
 
—

(d)
 
—

(e)
Terence Wilkinson
 
5,565

 
 
—

 
All Directors and Named Executive Officers as a Group (14 persons)
 
163,712

 
 
179,705

 
(a)
Each individual has sole voting and dispositive power except as otherwise noted.
(b)
Represents shares that are subject to options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 2012.
(c)
Represents shares that are jointly owned and subject to shared voting and dispositive power.
(d)
Excludes 36,940,627 shares owned by Glencore, for which Mr. Kalmin serves as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Goldberg serves as the Asset and Investment Manager of the Aluminum and Alumina Department and Mr. Caplan serves as the Bauxite and Alumina Manager.
(e)
Excludes options to acquire 15,000 shares of our common stock held in Mr. Strothotte's name for the benefit of Glencore.
Section 16 Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons owning more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC reports of ownership and changes in ownership of our equity securities.  These same persons are also required to furnish us with copies of all such forms.  Based solely on a review of the copies of the forms furnished to us and written representations that no Form 5 filings were required, we believe that, with respect to the 2011 fiscal year, all required Section 16(a) filings were timely made, except that Glencore filed a late Form 4 with respect to the automatic conversion of its of series A preferred shares into common shares at the end of first quarter on March 31, 2011.

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PROPOSAL NO. 4:  RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP to act as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012. We are requesting our stockholders to ratify such appointment. If no direction is given to the contrary, all proxies received by the Board of Directors will be voted “FOR” ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditors for the current fiscal year. Neither the Board nor the Audit Committee is required to take any action as a result of the outcome of the vote on this proposal. However, if the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee may investigate the reasons for such rejection. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may direct the appointment of a different independent auditor at any time.

In addition to performing the audit of our consolidated financial statements, Deloitte & Touche LLP provided various other services for us during the last two years. The aggregate fees billed for the last two years are set forth below:
 
 
2011
2010
Audit Fees
 
$
1,755,000

 
$
1,673,000

 
Audit – Related Fees
 
 
96,000

 
 
98,000

 
Tax Fees
 
 
101,000

 
 
68,000

 
All Other Fees
 
 
21,000

 
 
–

 
Total Fees
 
$
1,973,000

 
$
1,839,000

 
 
Audit Fees.  Audit Fees include professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements, audit of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, consultation on accounting matters, and review of documents filed with the SEC.
 
Audit-Related Fees.  Audit-Related Fees include audits of our employee benefit plans.
 
 Tax Fees. Tax Fees include the preparation of federal and state tax returns, and consultation related to tax planning, tax advice, tax compliance, and acquisitions.
 
All Other Fees.  All Other Fees include due diligence, registration statements, and consultation on accounting matters.
 
All services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP are pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the Committee’s pre-approval procedures. Under those procedures, the terms and fees of annual audit services, and changes thereto, must be approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee also pre-approves the scope of audit-related, tax and other non-audit services that may be performed by our independent auditors during the fiscal year, subject to dollar limitations set by the Committee. The foregoing pre-approval procedures are subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to completion of the audit.

Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, but will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available should any matter arise requiring their presence or to otherwise respond to questions.

The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year.



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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
 
The following report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall this information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that Century specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing.

During 2011, our Audit Committee was comprised of Messrs. Berntzen, Fishman, Jones, Michelmore and O’Brien and Ms. Catherine Z. Manning.  On June 8, 2010, Mr. Jones was succeeded on the Audit Committee by Mr. Michelmore. All members of the Audit Committee are independent directors, as that term is defined under NASDAQ listing standards. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. In accordance with its charter, the Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of Century.
 
The Audit Committee’s job is one of oversight. Century’s management is responsible for the preparation of Century’s financial statements and the independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements. The Audit Committee and the Board recognize that management (including the internal audit staff) and the independent auditors have more resources and time, and more detailed knowledge and information regarding Century’s accounting, auditing, internal control and financial reporting practices than the Audit Committee does; accordingly, the Audit Committee’s oversight role does not include providing any expert or special assurance as to the financial statements and other financial information provided by Century to its stockholders and others.
 
In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Audit Committee obtained from the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the auditors and Century that might bear on the auditors’ independence, consistent with “Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,” discussed with the auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence, including the performance of non-audit services, and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence. The Audit Committee also discussed with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors, the quality and adequacy of Century’s internal controls, the processes for assessing and monitoring risk, and the internal audit function’s organization, responsibilities, budget and staffing. The Audit Committee reviewed with both the independent and the internal auditors their audit plans, audit scope, and identification of audit risks. The Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice from outside legal, accounting or other advisors as the Audit Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties and receives appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, from Century for such advice and assistance.
 
The Audit Committee met with and discussed with the independent auditors all matters required to be discussed under generally accepted auditing standards, including those described in “Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,” and, with and without management present, reviewed and discussed the results of the independent auditors’ examination of the financial statements. The Audit Committee also discussed the quality and adequacy of Century’s internal controls and the results of the internal audit examinations.
 
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors the interim financial information contained in each quarterly earnings announcement in 2011 prior to its public release and the audited financial statements of Century as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
Based on the above mentioned review and discussions with management and the independent auditors, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that Century’s audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for filing with the SEC.
 
Respectfully Submitted,
 
The Audit Committee
 
Jarl Berntzen
John P. O’Brien (Chair)
Terence Wilkinson

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PROPOSAL NO. 5:  ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) enables our stockholders to have an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers. Although the vote is advisory and is not binding on the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors or Company; the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements. We refer to this non-binding advisory vote as the “say-on-pay” vote.
You are asked to vote for or against, or to abstain from voting, on the following resolution on an advisory basis:
“Resolved, that the stockholders approve on an advisory basis the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company's proxy statement pursuant to the rules of the SEC, including the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the compensation tables, and any related tables and disclosure.”
The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” approval of foregoing resolution.



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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis
 
Introduction
 
Our Compensation Committee (“Committee”) is a standing committee of our Board of Directors.  The Committee reviews and establishes the compensation for our executive officers and is responsible for administering and awarding grants of equity awards under our 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, which we refer to as the 1996 Plan.
 
The Committee periodically reviews and modifies Century’s compensation and benefit programs, and the principles and philosophies on which these programs are based.  Key matters addressed by the Committee with respect to 2011 compensation include the following:
Ÿ
Managed and reviewed compensation practices following the resignation of Mr. Wayne Hale, the Company’s former Chief Operating Officer, in May 2011 and Mr. Logan Kruger, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, in November 2011, as well as the impact of the election of three directors designated by Glencore to our Board of Directors in June 2011;
Ÿ
Amended the peer group reviewed by the Company when evaluating compensation in order to better align the peer group with the Company’s size, revenues, operations and industry;
Ÿ
Set performance goals for the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan and Long-term Incentive Plan and set award opportunities for the named executive officers;
Ÿ
Provided incentives for management to reduce costs and preserve strategic investment opportunities;
Ÿ
Increased stock ownership requirements for our nonemployee independent directors in order to further align compensation with the interests of our stockholders; and
Ÿ
Established a compensation plan for Mr. Bless following his appointment as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer in November 2011 and President and Chief Executive Officer in February 2012.
 Our Philosophy on Executive Compensation
 
Our compensation programs are designed to enable Century and its subsidiaries to provide competitive compensation packages that attract, retain and motivate talented executives and managers while aligning management’s and stockholders’ interests in the enhancement of Company performance and stockholder value.  The Committee and management believe that our compensation programs must therefore remain flexible to afford the Committee and management discretion in making awards that account for both individual and corporate performance.
 
Our compensation programs are structured as a balanced portfolio using multiple elements to deliver a total package consisting of base salary, annual incentive awards, long-term incentive awards, and retirement benefits.  In addition, the Committee retains discretion to make adjustments necessary to balance the overall performance of Century and the individual performance of our executive officers and to pay for performance.
 
The size of previous equity-based grants and current equity holdings do not affect future grants and are not considered by the Committee when making long-term incentive award decisions.  The Committee does, however, consider the combination of the major compensation and benefit offerings when making compensation decisions. The Committee generally applies its compensation philosophy and policies consistently in determining the compensation of each of our senior executives, while being mindful of individual differences such as experience, level of responsibility, potential contributions to future growth opportunities and individual performance, as well as the practical implications of arms-length negotiations at the time each executive is hired or promoted.  Market pay levels for chief executives of public companies are in general significantly higher than the pay levels for other executives, as indicated by the survey data and peer group data utilized by the Committee and described below.
 
At the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held in June 2011, over 89% of the votes cast on the advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers were voted in favor of the proposal. The Committee believes this affirms our stockholders’ support for the Company’s approach to executive compensation.
 

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Our Process for Executive Compensation
 
We review market pay and performance levels, with the help of our consultants, on a regular basis.  We evaluate Company performance against our plans and budgets, pay and performance levels at comparable companies and in the context of the broader economy.  The Committee retains final discretion in determining annual incentive awards and the vesting of performance units.  In general, the Committee makes its final determination of both annual incentive awards and awards earned based on long-term performance in the first quarter following the end of each performance period.
 
The Committee maintains an annual agenda to help ensure that it discharges its duties in a thoughtful and timely manner.  Each meeting has a primary purpose, e.g., reviewing market benchmarking, finalizing incentive awards, approving salary adjustments and new incentive plan terms, reviewing market trends or completing a self-assessment.  Other matters may be added to the agenda.  As a general practice, the Committee makes significant decisions over multiple meetings: discussing conceptual matters, reviewing preliminary recommendations, and reviewing final recommendations before acting.  The Committee also holds special meetings as necessary in order to perform its duties.
 
The Committee dedicated significant time and attention to management compensation in 2011, including holding ten meetings.
 
Benchmarking Executive Compensation
 
Our philosophy emphasizes competitive objectives for executive pay.  We prefer a flexible range to a single point to provide the Committee the discretion needed to discharge its duties, while being mindful of individual differences such as tenure and performance, as well as the practical implications of pay, on occasion, being the product of an arms-length negotiation at the time an executive is hired or promoted.  Elements of compensation that are benchmarked, separately and in the aggregate, include base salary, annual incentive, long-term incentive, and retirement benefits.
 
Our incentive plans are designed to allow the Committee the discretion to reward outstanding performance significantly above the targeted range in the case of outstanding performance; conversely, when performance is below expectations, our plans are designed to deliver compensation that is below the targeted range and to allow the Committee the discretion to reduce or eliminate certain compensation elements.  In 2011, the Committee designed the compensation program to provide Century’s officers total compensation (including annual base salaries, annual incentive compensation, long-term incentive compensation and retirement benefits) that, assuming success in meeting or surpassing criteria under the Company’s various incentive plans, was positioned, on average, around the midpoint of the compensation ranges for similarly situated officers at the surveyed companies.
 
With respect to the named executive officers, in 2011 the Committee primarily focused on the practices of a group of comparably-sized, asset-intensive, metals and other industrial companies.  The Committee chose these parameters, and ultimately the companies noted below, to permit pay to be evaluated in a context that considers businesses with similar exposure to economic forces and business cycles.  The composition of this group is reviewed regularly, and at least annually, and the group is refined to ensure its relevance in light of Century’s position, as well as mergers, acquisitions, growth, etc. among the companies.
 
Until September 2011, the Committee considered two peer groups when evaluating compensation for the named executive officers: the “traditional peer group” and the “alternative peer group”.  The traditional peer group included companies with revenues similar to the Company’s historical revenues prior to the world financial crisis of 2008 and 2009.  The alternative peer group included companies with revenues closer to those of the Company during and immediately following the world financial crisis. Both the traditional and alternative peer groups were considered when setting 2011 target compensation.  The Committee evaluated the traditional and alternative peer data independently and as a composite, but there was no algorithm that dictated targeted pay at a precise level in comparison to the two peer groups.
 

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In September 2011, the Committee determined to consider only the “alternative peer group” when awarding 2011 compensation and when making compensation decisions in the future as this peer group was most representative of the Company’s current size, revenues, operations and industry.  The table below identifies the companies that have been included in either group during 2011.
Company
 
Traditional Peer Group
 
Alternative Peer Group
AK Steel Holdings
 
Included
 
 
Allegheny Technologies
 
Included
 
 
AM Castle & Co.
 
 
 
Included
Arch Chemicals
 
Included
 
Included
Buckeye Technologies Inc.
 
 
 
Included
Carpenter Technology Corp
 
Included
 
Included
Commercial Metals Company
 
Included
 
 
Compass Minerals International Inc.
 
Included
 
 
Eagle Materials Inc.
 
 
 
Included
Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
 
 
 
Included
Gibraltar Industries Inc.
 
Included
 
Included
Kaiser Aluminum Corp.
 
Included
 
Included
Koppers Holdings Inc.
 
 
 
Included
Martin Marietta Materials Inc.
 
Included
 
Included
Minerals Technologies Inc.
 
 
 
Included
Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp.
 
Included
 
Included
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.
 
Included
 
 
Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc.
 
Included
 
Included
Steel Dynamics Inc.
 
Included
 
 
Stillwater Mining Co.
 
 
 
Included
Texas Industries Inc.
 
 
 
Included
The Timken Company
 
Included
 
 
Vulcan Materials Company
 
Included
 
Included
Worthington Industries
 
Included
 
Included

Role of the Chief Executive Officer
 
As part of its review and determination of Century’s compensation objectives, philosophy, programs and decisions, the Committee works with and receives advice and recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to his own compensation).  The Committee’s charter formalizes the working relationship with our Chief Executive Officer and includes the following actions to be taken by the Chief Executive Officer:
Ÿ
working with the Committee in its decisions regarding the approval of all general compensation plans and policies, including pension, savings, incentive and equity-based plans;
Ÿ
reviewing and determining the respective corporate and individual goals and objectives for the other named executive officers relevant to their compensation;
Ÿ
providing the Committee an evaluation of the performance of the other named executive officers in light of their respective corporate and individual goals and objectives; and
Ÿ
recommending to the Committee the compensation levels of the other named executive officers.
 

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The Committee considers the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer, together with the review by our compensation consultant, in making independent determinations regarding executive compensation.  For 2011 compensation, neither Mr. Kruger nor Mr. Bless recommended his level of compensation to the Committee.
 
Our Chief Executive Officer attends all Committee meetings, other than those portions that are held in executive session and he is not present during deliberations on matters involving his compensation.
 
Role of Compensation Committee Consultants
 
The Committee uses the services of compensation consultants.  In 2011, the Committee engaged Towers Watson to advise the Committee in connection with designing and implementing the Company’s executive compensation programs, including with respect to compensation philosophy, objectives, annual and long-term plan designs, and market pay levels.  In December 2011, the Committee determined to retain Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“Frederic Cook”) to replace Towers Watson as its compensation consultant in 2012, however, retaining the services of Towers Watson through the preparation of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis report.  The change was not made due to any disagreement or other similar matter with Towers Watson.  All decisions with respect to the foregoing were made in the Committee’s sole discretion.  Neither Towers Watson nor Frederic Cook conducted any compensation consulting or other projects for management in 2011.
 
Overview of Compensation Elements
 
The list below summarizes the general elements and characteristics of our executive compensation programs.  Detailed narratives of these compensation elements are provided in a later section.
Ÿ
Base salary: Base salary is determined by our philosophy, the position (skills, duties, responsibilities, etc.), market pay levels and trends, individual performance and prior salary.
Ÿ
Annual incentive awards: Variable compensation is payable in cash (or at the discretion of the Committee, shares or stock options) following the fiscal year the pay is earned; payment is based on the Committee’s review of achievement of pre-set performance goals and a portion of the incentive is generally dependent on a subjective review of individual performance and contributions to our overall strategic successes.  The Committee retains the discretion to wholly disregard or modify any or all pre-set operating goals as it deems appropriate.
Ÿ
Long-term incentives: Variable compensation based on sustained performance success; historically based on the Committee’s assessment of operating performance and strategic achievements and settled in cash, time-vested performance units and stock options.  The 2011 long-term incentives include the long-term transformational incentive plan that was designed to incentivize management to reduce costs in domestic operations and preserve the Company’s Helguvik smelter development options.  Awards under the long-term transformational incentive plan are settled in cash, or, at the discretion of the Committee, shares of Company stock.  2011 was the final year of the long-term transformational incentive plan.
Ÿ
Retirement benefits: Tax qualified defined benefit and defined contribution plans apply to salaried employees of our U.S. companies who meet eligibility requirements.  In addition, our nonqualified defined benefit plan provides a select group of participants with benefits above the level permitted under a qualified plan.
Compensation Program Details
 
Base Salary
 
The Committee typically reviews the salaries of our named executive officers annually (in the fourth quarter or early the following year).  In addition, the Committee may review the salaries of our named executive officers in connection with a promotion or other change in responsibility.
 
In 2011, the Committee authorized cost of living base salary increases for each of the named executive officers from 1.9% to 3.9%.  The Committee authorized a cost of living base salary increase of approximately 2.5% for each of the named executive officers in 2012.  The Committee determined to make such increases based on, among other things, its review of competitive pay practices, the current financial situation of the Company, the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer with respect to the other executive officers, and in its own judgment.
 

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In connection with Mr. Bless’ appointment as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer in November 2011, the Committee granted Mr. Bless an additional monthly salary stipend of approximately $18,800 in addition to his 2011 annual base salary.  Following Mr. Bless’ appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer in February 2012, Mr. Bless’ 2012 annual base salary was increased to $730,000, effective as of January 1, 2012.
 
Annual Incentive Awards
 
The annual incentive plan is designed to allow compensation based on short-term (annual) individual performance, preservation of future value and strategic investments and operating results.  Under our annual incentive plan, executives (including the named executive officers) are eligible to receive an award, which has historically been paid in cash, but may be paid, at the discretion of the Committee, in cash, shares or stock options.
 
Target Awards
 
In 2011, the Committee received a recommendation from our Chief Executive Officer that the Company use uniform performance measure weighting for all executives participating in the 2011 annual incentive plan to reflect the integrated nature of the Company’s senior leadership team.  In light of this suggestion, the Committee decided that performance measure weighting with regard to all 2011 annual incentive plan goals would be identical for all 2011 annual incentive plan participants.
 
The achievement of certain performance metrics described in the table below was designed by the Committee in 2011 to determine 74% of the award at target in the aggregate.  The Committee reviews and approves the performance metrics and target levels of performance annually.  The Committee sets targets that it believes are challenging but reasonably attainable.  In general, payouts may be above or below target depending on performance above or below the targeted levels based on a straight line interpolation.  However, in each case, the Committee retains absolute discretion to modify or eliminate any incentive awards if the Committee determines such actions are warranted.
 
Operating Result
 
Description
Percentage of Aggregate Award if Target Achieved
 
Targets
Conversion cost
The cost of converting alumina into aluminum is a key factor in the profitability of our business.  This performance target is intended to incentivize management to meet specific conversion cost targets.
30%
 
 
 
We consider the conversion cost targets to be confidential, and disclosure of those targets would cause competitive harm to Century. For example, our competitors may be able to use this data to predict our pricing strategies or our ability to match certain prices.  The Committee set conversion cost targets that it believed to be challenging but reasonably attainable.
 
Metal Production
The amount of metal produced by our operating smelters is a key factor in the profitability of our business.   This performance target is intended to incentivize management to meet specific production targets.
30%
We consider the metal production targets to be confidential, and disclosure of those targets would cause competitive harm to Century. Because aluminum is a global commodity, our competitors may be able to use production targets to predict our pricing strategies or our ability to match certain prices.  The Committee set production targets that it believed to be challenging but reasonably attainable.
 
Safety
Improving the safety of our workplaces has long been a goal of Century and we have accordingly provided incentives to management for improving our safety statistics.
14%
(12% for the Grundartangi/ Hawesville target
and 2% for the Helguvik target.)
The 2011 safety target was to achieve a weighted average (based on total headcount) total recordable case incidence rate of (i) 2.10 at our Grundartangi facility, (ii) 2.50 at our Hawesville facility and (ii) 1.45 at our Helguvik project.

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The Committee’s subjective evaluation of two elements (which elements do not have quantitative targets) was designed to determine 26% of the 2011 incentive at target:
Ÿ
Creation of future value and strategic investments; and
Ÿ
Discretionary/Individual: recognize individual contributions to operating, financial, and strategic success.
     The Committee’s evaluation of these elements is intended to be completely discretionary and subjective and based on matters determined relevant by the Committee at the time of the award.
 
Target annual incentive opportunities for in 2011 were based on a percentage of salary:  Mr. Bless 70%; Mr. Leatherberry 70%; Mr. Schneider 55%; and Mrs. Harrison 45%.  The Committee determined these target annual incentive opportunities as part of its total compensation program to provide Century’s named executive officers total compensation (including annual base salaries, annual incentive compensation, long-term incentive compensation and retirement benefits) that, assuming success in meeting or surpassing criteria under the Company’s various incentive plans, was positioned, on average, around the midpoint of the compensation ranges for similarly situated officers at the surveyed companies.
 
2011 Payout
 
When determining the 2011 annual incentive plan award, the Compensation Committee exercised its discretion under the annual incentive plan to modify the awards that may have otherwise been payable under the plan based on the performance targets set forth above.  In light of the significant changes made to the Company’s management team and Board in 2011, the Compensation Committee determined to award Messrs. Bless, Leatherberry and Schneider and Mrs. Harrison an annual incentive plan award equal to such named executive officer’s 2010 annual incentive plan award.  While such determination was made in the Committee’s subjective discretion, factors considered by the Committee when making such determination included steps taken by such named executive officers to transition the leadership of the Company following the resignations of Messrs. Kruger and Hale as well as ensuring continuity among the remaining members of the Company’s senior management team.
 
Accordingly, the bonuses paid to Messrs. Bless, Leatherberry and Schneider and Mrs. Harrison for 2011 were as follows:
Name
Target Non-Equity Incentive Compensation Paid Pursuant to the
2011 Annual Incentive Plan
Actual Non-Equity Incentive Compensation Paid Pursuant to the 2011 Annual Incentive Plan
Mr. Bless
$
310,000

 
$
332,640

 
Mr. Leatherberry
$
262,000

 
$
277,200

 
Mr. Schneider
$
156,000

 
$
167,585

 
Mrs. Harrison
$
104,000

 
$
112,365

 
Long-Term Incentive Awards
 
The Long-Term Incentive Program (the “LTIP”) is designed to align executive compensation with the interests of stockholders, link compensation to share price appreciation over a multi-year period and support the retention of our management team. We provide two types of LTIP awards: performance-units and time-vested performance shares.
 
Performance units are generally cash-settled awards based on the achievement of strategic objectives, free cash flow goals, and the Company’s total stockholder return in relation to its peer group over a three-year period; however, the Committee retains the discretion to settle these awards in stock.  Time-vested performance share units are stock-settled awards that are granted at the beginning of the performance period.  Both the performance units and time-vested performance shares vest, in their entirety, after three years.
 
The 2009-2011 Long-Term Transformational Incentive Plan (the “LTTIP”), implemented in 2009 and discussed below, replaced the cash-settled goal-based performance unit portion of the 2009-2010 LTIP.  As such, no cash-settled goal-based performance units were awarded under the 2009-2010 LTIP.
 

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Under the time-vested performance shares portion of the 2009-2010 LTIP, Messrs. Bless, Leatherberry and Schneider and Mrs. Harrison were granted, respectively: 31,493, 23,134, 20,299 and 16,418 time-vested performance share units in 2009, all of which have now vested.
 
Long-Term Transformational Incentive Plan
 
The 2009-2011 Long-Term Transformational Incentive Plan was implemented in 2009 in order to align management incentives and rewards more fully with the transformative restructuring changes to the Company’s goals in response to the 2008-2009 global economic crisis.  The LTTIP replaced the cash-settled goal-based performance unit portion of the 2009-2010 LTIP.  There was no additional LTTIP grant made in 2010 or 2011.  2011 was the final year of the LTTIP.  The LTTIP, for which each of the named executive officers and select other executives were eligible, had the following attributes and elements:
Ÿ
A total target award pool of $8 million, comprised of:
 
§
a maximum $4 million U.S. Bonus Pool based on the Committee’s assessment of the achievement of certain reduced costs associated with restructuring domestic operations.  Due to the more urgent aspect of these activities, payment opportunities were designed to be frontloaded and were achieved in their entirety in 2009; and
 
§
a $4 million Iceland Bonus Pool based on the Committee’s subjective evaluation of the achievement of preservation and enhancement of the Helguvik smelter development options during the transitional period. Payment opportunities with respect to the Iceland Bonus Pool were intended to be spread more evenly over the three year period with slightly higher payments possible in year two;
Ÿ
the entire $8 million pool was intended to be paid in cash, but could be paid partially or entirely in shares, options and cash at the Committee’s discretion;
Ÿ
the bonus pools were paid out in three annual installments in 2010, 2011, and 2012; and
Ÿ
all named executive officers and select other executives that participated in the LTTIP did not participate in the cash portion of the 2009-2010 LTIP.
 The 2009-2011 LTTIP awards were made to participants as a percentage of the total bonus pool.  For 2011, the allocations for Messrs. Bless, Leatherberry and Schneider and Mrs. Harrison for 2011 were as follows:
Name
Targeted U.S. Bonus Pool Payout in 2011
Targeted Iceland Bonus Pool Payout in 2011
Mr. Bless
1.7%
3.6%
Mr. Leatherberry
1.7%
3.6%
Mr. Schneider
0.5%
1.8%
Mrs. Harrison
0.9%
1.8%
*All percentages set forth above are percentages of the 2009-2011 aggregate applicable bonus pool.
     Total payments are dependent, subject to the discretion of the Committee, on the total size of the bonus pool.  Based on the Company’s achievement’s in 2009, including cost savings at the Company’s Hawesville and Ravenswood smelters and divestment of the Company’s Gramercy St. Ann operations, the Committee determined that the entire U.S. Bonus Pool had been earned.  Accordingly, the U.S. Bonus Pool was paid out at 100% of target in 2011.

The Iceland Bonus Pool is awarded based on the Committee’s subjective review of management’s preservation of the Company’s Helguvik smelter development options in Iceland.  This review is intended to be completely discretionary and subjective, but for purposes of illustration, some of the objectives which may be reviewed by the Committee, none of which are individually weighted, include among other things:
Ÿ
securing power, transmission and other required contractual commitments;
Ÿ
exploration of strategic restructuring and other development opportunities;
Ÿ
safety; and
Ÿ
maintaining engineering and construction activities to preserve the option to develop this project, including reengineering the project into multiple phases.

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The Committee determined to make a payout of 100% of the targeted 2011 payout amounts.
 
The targeted and actual bonuses paid to Messrs. Bless, Leatherberry and Schneider and Mrs. Harrison under the LTTIP for 2011 were as follows:
Name
Target 2011 Bonus Under
U.S. Bonus Pool
Actual 2011 Bonus Under
U.S. Bonus Pool
Target 2011 Bonus Under Iceland Bonus Pool
Actual 2011 Bonus Under 
Iceland Bonus Pool
Total 2011 Bonus
Under LTTIP
Mr. Bless
$68,000
$68,000
$144,000
$144,000
$212,000
Mr. Leatherberry
$68,000
$68,000
$144,000
$144,000
$212,000
Mr. Schneider
$20,000
$20,000
$72,000
$72,000
$92,000
Mrs. Harrison
$36,000
$36,000
$72,000
$72,000
$108,000
Stock Options
 
Option grants are made on a case-by-case basis to executive officers in connection with hiring awards and to recognize promotions and under other circumstances where deemed appropriate in the Committee’s discretion.  It has been the Committee’s practice to approve all option grants at Committee meetings.  For initial option grants to our executives made in connection with their employment by Century, the Committee approves the options at the time it approves the executive’s overall compensation arrangement and the terms of his or her employment agreement, if any.  Option grants are a high-risk, high return component of the executive total compensation program because stock options deliver value to an executive only if the share price is above the grant price after the date of vesting.  Therefore, the stock options directly align executive officer and stockholder interests.  No option grants were made to the named executive officers in 2011.
 
Retirement Benefits
 
The Century Aluminum 401(k) Plan is a tax-qualified retirement savings plan pursuant to which our U.S. based salaried employees, including our named executive officers, are able to contribute a percentage, up to the limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, of their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis.  Effective January 1, 2011, the Company reinstituted a matching contribution equal to 100% of eligible employees’ pre-tax contributions to the 401(k) Plan up to 4% of eligible compensation, and 50% of eligible employees’ pre-tax contributions equal to the next 2% of eligible compensation.  Generally, “eligible compensation” used for purposes of calculating contributions under the Plan is the amount paid to an employee as base salary plus bonuses (excluding certain gifts, awards, severance pay, relocation pay, performance shares and amounts realized from the exercise of certain stock awards) up to $245,000 in 2011 and $250,000 in 2012.
 
We also maintain a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for our U.S. based salaried employees who meet certain eligibility requirements, which we refer to as our Qualified Plan.  We have also adopted a Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan, or “SERP.”  The SERP provides selected senior executive officers with an additional retirement benefit equal to the amount that would normally be paid under our Qualified Plan if there were no limitations under Sections 415 and 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  Final average monthly compensation for purposes of calculating the supplemental benefit will be based on the greater of (a) projected final annual compensation, assuming specified annual increases until retirement age, or (b) the average of the highest three years’ annual compensation over the last 10 years of employment.  Each named executive officer was eligible to participate in these benefits in 2011.
 
On selective occasions we have also provided enhanced retirement benefits, in the form of an “Enhanced SERP”, which is designed to enhance the total retirement income level, when, due to the executive’s age and potential years of service at normal retirement age, benefits under the Qualified Plan and the SERP are projected to be less than a specified percentage of the executive’s estimated final average annual compensation.  None of the current named executive officers participate in the Enhanced SERP.
 
Benefits triggered by retirement are valued and described below under the caption “Executive Compensation-Pension Benefits Table” and “Executive Compensation-Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control.”
 

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Policies & Other Technical Considerations
 
Stock ownership guidelines
 
We maintain stock ownership guidelines for our executives and nonemployee independent directors.  We adopted them to further underscore our belief that management’s interests should be aligned with those of the stockholders.  In 2011, we reviewed our nonemployee independent director stock ownership guidelines.  After a review of policies in effect at other companies, a decision was made to substantially increase the number of shares required to be held until retirement in order to further emphasize a long-term focus on stockholder value.
 
The current guidelines for Century’s officers and directors are summarized in the table below.  The guidelines are based on a fixed number of shares, which was finalized after giving consideration to the value of the fixed share guidelines as a percent of pay (salary for executives and cash retainer for nonemployee directors).  The guidelines of peers and, on a broader basis, industry practices were considered in developing this policy.
 
Category
Share Guidelines
Chief Executive Officer
150,000
Executive Vice Presidents
48,000
Senior Vice Presidents
18,000
Vice Presidents
6,000
Nonemployee, Independent Directors
20,000
     Non-employee, non-independent directors are not subject to these guidelines, although they are urged to follow them.
 
Officers and non-employee independent directors have five years from the later of the date of hire or the effective date of the guidelines to meet these ownership guidelines.  Officers who are subsequently promoted to a higher category of participant level will have five years from the date of promotion to achieve their increased share guideline.  Each of the named executive officers satisfies the current guidelines, other than Messrs. Bless and Leatherberry who have until February 7, 2017 and September 20, 2015, respectively, to satisfy the guidelines following recent promotions.
 
Clawback
 
We maintain an Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy.  Under this policy, our Board will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, in all appropriate cases, require reimbursement of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to an employee after January 1, 2008, cause the cancellation of restricted or deferred stock awards and outstanding stock options, and seek reimbursement of any gains realized on the exercise of stock options attributable to such awards, if and to the extent that: (a) the amount of incentive compensation was calculated based upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently reduced due to a restatement, (b) our Board or an appropriate committee determines that the employee engaged in any fraud or misconduct which caused or contributed to the need for the restatement, and (c) the amount of the bonus or incentive compensation that would have been awarded to the employee had the financial results been properly reported would have been lower than the amount actually awarded.
 
Timing of Equity Awards
 
Generally, the Committee makes incentive pay decisions at regularly scheduled Committee and board meetings.  The Committee may also make compensation determinations at other times during the year for newly-hired executives or in connection with the promotion of existing employees.  The Committee does not time any form of compensation award, including equity-based awards, to coincide with the release of material non-public information.
 

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Income Tax Consequences
 
Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a tax deduction for annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to certain executive officers; however, compensation above $1 million is deductible if such compensation is “performance based” and meets other criteria as specified under Section 162(m) of the Code.
 
The Committee agrees with the premise of pay for performance, and it has considered the impact of Section 162(m) on the design of our compensation programs.  But the nature of our business, not the least of which is the impact of metal prices on our results, limits the ability to pre-determine meaningful goals without substantial subsequent discretionary adjustments.  The Committee believes that such discretion is necessary and would not be available as a compensation management tool if incentive payments were to be “performance based” as defined and required under Section 162(m).  Accordingly, it is not the Committee’s goal for all compensation to be deductible by us under Section 162(m).
 
The Committee will continue to consider and weigh the potential loss of expense deductions against its need for discretion in designing programs for the named executive officers.  The Committee does not expect the loss of any such deductions to have a significant impact on Century.
 
Employment Agreements
 
We currently have employment agreement with Messrs. Bless and Leatherberry.  We also had employment agreements with Messrs. Kruger and Hale prior to their respective resignations from the Company.  The terms of these agreements, including base salary, initial equity grants, minimum guaranteed bonuses, participation in Century benefit plans and other benefits, are approved by the Committee.  The amounts and types of such compensation are negotiated terms with each officer.  When reviewing and negotiating these terms, the Committee is provided with market data by its compensation consultants and considers practices of peer companies and, if applicable, compensation earned and/or forfeited by the officer at a previous employer.  Certain material provisions of the employment agreements of Messrs. Bless and Leatherberry are described below under the caption “Summary Compensation Table – Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grant of Plan Based Awards Table – Employment Agreements.”
 
Post-Termination Compensation and Benefits
 
Other Post-Termination Benefits
 
Selected senior executive officers may also receive benefits triggered by death, disability or termination without cause.  Century has designed these benefits to be competitive with industry standards to attract and retain talented executive and management level personnel.  Benefits triggered by death, disability and termination without cause are valued and described below under the caption “Executive Compensation-Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control.”
 
Century’s policy is that accelerated benefits for executive officers should not be triggered in circumstances where the executive is terminated for cause or resigns voluntarily.
 
Change in Control
 
Our policy is to provide change in control protection to our named executive officers based on competitive practice in the industry.  Change in control provisions are contained in various named executive officer employment agreements, long-term compensation agreements, retirement plans and severance protection agreements, particularly for executives who are unlikely to be retained in comparable positions by the acquiring entity upon a change in control.  In addition, change in control protections have historically been designed to maximize stockholder value by creating incentives for named executive officers to explore strategic transactions and work to bring such transactions to fruition if appropriate.  Our 1996 Plan, Executive Severance Plan, Severance Protection Agreements and employment agreements are each intended to provide for certain employee protections in the event of a change in control.  These arrangements have been intended to attract and retain qualified executives that could have other job alternatives that may appear to them to be less risky absent these arrangements, particularly given the significant level of acquisition activity in the metals and mining sectors.
 
Under our 1996 Plan, in the event of a change in control, any options and performance shares outstanding upon the date of such change in control will have their vesting accelerated as of the date of such change in control which is referred to as a “single trigger” provision.  These provisions are also generally included in our employment agreements with certain named executive officers.  We believe these change of control arrangements, the value of which are influenced significantly by the value obtained in a change of control transaction, effectively create incentives for our executive officers to build stockholder

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value and to obtain the highest value possible should we be acquired in the future, despite the risk of losing employment and potentially not having the opportunity to participate in future equity awards which comprise a significant component of each executive’s compensation.  We believe it is more appropriate for these awards to accelerate immediately upon a change in control in order to attract and retain qualified executives that could have other job alternatives that may appear to them to be less risky absent these arrangements, especially following a change in control.
 
Our Severance Protection Agreements are “double trigger,” meaning that payment of severance benefits is not awarded upon a change in control unless the executive’s employment is terminated involuntarily (other than for cause) within 36 months following the transaction.  We believe this structure strikes a balance between the incentives and the executive hiring and retention effects described above, without providing these benefits to executives who continue to enjoy employment with an acquiring company in the event of a change of control transaction.  We also believe this structure is more attractive to potential acquiring companies, who may place significant value on retaining members of our executive management and who may perceive this goal to be undermined if executives receive significant acceleration payments in connection with such a transaction and are no longer required to continue employment to earn these payments.
 
See “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control—Severance Compensation Arrangements” for additional discussion of the severance compensation agreements of our named executive officers.
 
Involuntary Severance
 
The Compensation Committee established the Executive Severance Plan after recognizing a need for severance arrangements beyond the Company’s Severance Protection Agreement for those executives without an Employment Agreement. The only named executive officers who are participants in the Executive Severance Plan are Mr. Schneider and Mrs. Harrison.  The key terms of the Executive Severance Plan and benefits triggered by a change in control or involuntary severance are valued and described below under the caption “Executive Compensation – Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control.”

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
 
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth in this 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K with Century management and based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to Century's Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Century's 2012 proxy statement.
 
Respectfully Submitted,
 
The Compensation Committee
 
 Daniel Goldberg
 Andrew Michelmore (Chair)
 Terence Wilkinson

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Table of Contents

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
The following table sets forth the compensation earned by our Chief Executive Officer and each of our three other most highly compensated executive officers, as well as our former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, for services rendered to us in all capacities in 2011.
2011 Summary Compensation Table
Name and
Principal Position
Year
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)(a)
Stock Awards ($)(b)
Option Awards ($)(c)
Non-
Equity Incentive Plan Compen-
sation
($)(d)
Change in Pension Value and Deferred Compen-
sation
($)(e)
All Other Compen-
sation
($)(f)
Total
($)
Michael A. Bless
2011
471,645
–
173,902

–

544,640

240,962

765

 
1,431,914

President and Chief Executive Officer
2010
432,000
–
175,426

–

841,216

93,382

765

 
1,542,789

2009
422,000
–
206,279

137,406

773,000

82,875

915

 
1,622,475

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
William J. Leatherberry
2011
374,000
–
146,817

–

489,200

215,492

13,430

(h)
1,238,939

Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
2010
360,000
–
146,213

–

845,375

68,613

1,180

 
1,421,381

2009
287,500
–
181,428

100,937

653,000

47,883

1,220

 
1,271,968

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steve Schneider
2011
283,000
–
88,872

–

259,585

276,200

16,110

(h)
923,767

Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller
2010
277,000
–
89,988

–

361,299

158,936

3,860

 
891,083

2009
272,000
–
132,958

88,564

334,000

250,000

4,010

 
1,081,532

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michelle Harrison
2011
234,000
–
55,119

–

220,365

143,243

13,305

 (h)
666,032

Vice President and Treasurer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Logan W. Kruger(j)
2011
783,463
–
829,125

–

–

2,850,979

49,508

 (i)
4,513,075

Former President and Chief Executive Officer
2010
875,000
–
473,577

–

1,843,239

1,662,337

2,835

 
4,856,988

2009
855,000
–
557,241

371,187

1,477,400

939,982

2,985

 
4,203,795

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wayne R. Hale
2011
178,306
–
179,519

–

202,219

189,361

3,090,558

 (g)
3,839,963

Former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
2010
482,000
–
208,750

–

868,935

86,025

3,355

 
1,649,065

2009
472,000
–
307,621

204,915

811,000

71,217

3,505

 
1,870,258

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
There were no discretionary bonuses paid to the named executive officers in 2011.
(b)
Represents the grant date fair value of stock awards granted to the named executive officer in the respective fiscal year, calculated in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation – Stock Compensation, for awards granted pursuant to the 1996 Plan.
(c)
Represents the grant date fair value of stock options granted to the named executive officer in the respective fiscal year, calculated in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation – Stock Compensation, for awards granted pursuant to the 1996 Plan.
(d)
Represents the fair value of amounts earned by the named executive officer under the 2011 AIP and the 2009-2011 LTTIP.
(e)
Represents the change in the actuarial present value of accumulated retirement benefits.  Decreased interest rates, which are used to discount future payments under the pension plans, and changes in mortality assumptions significantly increased the present value of pension benefits in 2011.

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(f)
Includes term life insurance, 401(k) match, Company paid life insurance, housing/relocation and related tax gross-up, as applicable.
(g)
Includes $12,250 for 401(k) match, $811,280 in consulting fees earned following his resignation from the Company and $2,255,192 incurred for severance pay upon resignation.
(h)
Includes 401(k) match of $12,250.
(i)
Includes $34,423 for unused vacation upon resignation and 401(k) match of $12,250.
(j)
All or a portion of the non-salary compensation disclosed as earned by Mr. Kruger for years 2009-2011 may be subject to recoupment by the Company.  The Company's claim for recoupmant of that compensation is currently the subject of litigation between the Company and Mr. Kruger.
GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS
The following table sets forth information regarding the estimated future payouts under our 1996 Plan to our named executive officers.
2011 Grants of Plan Based Awards Table
Name
Grant Date
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
  All Other Stock Awards: 
Number of Shares of Stock (c)
  All Other Option Awards: 
Number of Securities Underlying Options
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards
  Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Award ($)(d)
Thresh-old
Target
($)(a)
Maxi-mum
($)(b)
Michael A. Bless
March 22, 2011
–
166,125

332,250

10,093

–
–
173,902

William J. Leatherberry
March 22, 2011
–
140,250

280,500

8,521

–
–
146,817

Steve Schneider
March 22, 2011
–
84,900

169,800

5,158

–
–
88,872

Michelle Harrison
March 22, 2011
–
52,650

105,300

3,199

–
–
55,119

Logan W. Kruger
March 22, 2011
–
792,075

1,584,150

48,121

–
–
829,125

Wayne R. Hale
March 22, 2011
–
171,500

343,000

10,419

–
–
179,519

(a)
Represents the target potential cash payment under the 2011-2013 Long Term Incentive Plan.  Awards will be paid in 2014 after consideration by the Compensation Committee.
(b)
Represents the maximum potential cash payment under the 2011-2013 Long Term Incentive Plan.  Awards will be paid in 2014 after consideration by the Compensation Committee.
(c)
Represents the number of time-vested performance share units granted to the named executive officer under the 2011-2013 Long Term Incentive Plan.  Awards will settle on December 31, 2013.
(d)
The values represent the grant date fair value of the stock and option awards determined in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation – Stock Compensation.
 Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan Based Awards Table
Employment Agreements
 
We have employment agreements with Mr. Bless and Mr. Leatherberry.  Mr. Bless’ agreement provides for automatic extensions on each January 1 for an additional one-year period unless timely notice of termination is delivered by a party pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement.  Effective January 1, 2011, Mr. Bless’ agreement was so extended to December 31, 2013.  The initial term of Mr. Leatherberry’s employment agreement ended on December 31, 2011, and was automatically extended for an additional two year period on January 1, 2012, and will be extended on every other anniversary thereafter, for an additional two year term, unless timely notice of termination is delivered by a party pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement.  These agreements provide that Messrs. Bless’ and Leatherberry’s salaries shall be subject to increase from time to time at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.  Mr. Bless’ employment agreement has not been amended to date following his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer.  These agreements also provide that these executive officers are eligible to participate in our incentive compensation plans, subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and they are also eligible for stock option grants and performance share awards under the 1996 Plan and participation in the SERP.

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Table of Contents

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
 
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding equity awards for our named executive officers as of December 31, 2011.
2011 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table
Name
  Option Awards
 
Stock Awards (d)
 Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
  Equity Incentive Plan Awards:  
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
 
Option Exercise Price ($)
Option Expiration Date
 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (#)
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (c)
Michael A. Bless
30,000

–
 
–
 
29.92
Jan. 23, 2016
11,950(a)
101,695

 
27,618

–
 
–
 
6.55
May 4, 2019
10,093(b)
85,891

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
William J. Leatherberry
5,000

–
 
–
 
64.39
Feb. 22, 2018
9,960(a)
84,760

 
20,288

–
 
–
 
6.55
May 4, 2019
8,521(b)
72,514

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steve Schneider
17,801

–
 
–
 
6.55
May 4, 2019
6,130(a)
52,166

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,158(b)
43,895

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michelle Harrison
3,600

–
 
–
 
24.70
Dec. 8, 2015
3,770(a)
32,083

 
5,000

–
 
–
 
37.31
June 9, 2016
3,199(b)
27,223

 
14,398

–
 
–
 
6.55
May 4, 2019
 
 
(a)
Represents the number of time-vested performance share units granted under the 2010-2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(b)
Represents the number of time-vested performance share units granted under the 2011-2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(c)
Based on the closing market price for share of our common stock of $8.51 on December 30, 2011, the last trading day for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
(d)
See “Deferred Compensation” below.
 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
 
The following table sets forth information regarding option exercises and vesting and settlement of performance shares for our named executive officers as of December 31, 2011.
2011 Option Exercise and Stock Vested Table
 
Stock Awards
Name
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)(a)
Value Realized on Vesting ($)
Michael A. Bless
 
31,493
 
 
489,086

 
William J. Leatherberry
 
23,134
 
 
359,271

 
Steve Schneider
 
20,299
 
 
315,243

 
Michelle Harrison
 
16,418
 
 
254,972

 
Logan W. Kruger
 
85,075
 
 
1,321,215

 
Wayne R. Hale
 
 
46,965
 
 
729,366

 
(a)
Includes shares received pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Program for the 2009-2010 Performance Program Period by each named executive officer on January 1, 2011.  Does not include any shares that may have vested, but for which settlement was deferred.  See “Deferred Compensation” below.

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Table of Contents

 Deferred Compensation

The election of three directors designated by Glencore to our Board of Directors in June 2011 previously was determined to have resulted in the accelerated vesting of certain awards granted under the Company’s Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan.  However, pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan, such awards would continue to settle on the originally scheduled dates absent the occurrence of certain subsequent events.  The awards held by our named executive officers that previously were determined to have vested in June 2011, but have not yet settled, are set forth in the table below.  The Committee is reviewing the prior determination that the vesting of such awards accelerated. 
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Name
Registrant Contributions
in Last FY ($)(a)
Aggregate Balance
at Last FYE ($)
Michael A. Bless
 
515,711(b)
 
 
515,711
 
William J. Leatherberry
 
432,523(c)
 
 
432,523
 
Steve Schneider
 
264,061(d)
 
 
264,061
 
Michelle Harrison
 
 
163,056(e)
 
 
163,056
 
(a)
Based on the closing market price for shares of our common stock of $8.51 on December 30, 2011, the last trading day for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
(b)
Represents the market value as of December 30, 2011 of 22,043 time-vested performance share units and 328,125 cash-settled performance units that have vested, but not yet settled under the 2010-2012 and 2011-2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans.  Absent a subsequent event, these performance units will settle on December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
(c)
Represents the market value as of December 30, 2011 of 18,481 Time-vested performance share units and 275,250 cash-settled performance units that have vested, but not yet settled under the 2010-2012 and 2011-2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans.  Absent a subsequent event, these performance units will settle on December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
(d)
Represents the market value as of December 30, 2011 of 11,288 Time-vested performance share units and 168,000 cash-settled performance units that have vested, but not yet settled under the 2010-2012 and 2011-2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans.  Absent a subsequent event, these performance units will settle on December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
(e)
Represents the market value as of December 30, 2011 of 6,969 Time-vested performance share units and 103,750 cash-settled performance units that have vested, but not yet settled under the 2010-2012 and 2011-2013 Long-Term Incentive Plans.  Absent a subsequent event, these performance units will settle on December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
 Post Employment Compensation
 
Pension Benefits
 
As discussed above under the heading “Retirement Benefits,” we maintain both the Qualified Plan and the SERP as retirement plans for our U.S. based salaried employees. The Qualified Plan provides lifetime annual benefits starting at age 62 equal to 12 multiplied by the greater of: (i) 1.5% of final average monthly compensation multiplied by years of credited service (up to 40 years), or (ii) $22.25 multiplied by years of credited service (up to 40 years), less the total monthly vested benefit payable as a life annuity at age 62 under predecessor plans which we acquired. We determine final average monthly compensation under the qualified plans as the highest monthly average for 36 consecutive months in the 120-month period ending on the last day of the calendar month completed at or prior to a termination of service. Participants’ pension rights vest after a five-year period of service, or earlier if the participant has reached the age of 62. An early retirement benefit (actuarially reduced beginning at age 55) and a disability benefit are also available. The compensation covered by the plan includes all compensation, subject to certain exclusions, before any reduction for 401(k) contributions, subject to the maximum limits under the Code.
 
The SERP provides selected senior executives with supplemental benefits in addition to those benefits they are entitled to receive under the Qualified Plan. More information about the SERP can be found under the heading “Retirement Benefits.”
 
The following table sets forth the present value of accumulated benefits payable to each of the named executive officers, including the number of years of service credited to each such named executive officer, under the Qualified Plan and the SERP, determined using interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in our consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

 2011 Pension Benefits Table
Name
Plan Name
Number of Years Credited Service
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($)(a)
Michael A. Bless
Non-Contributory Defined Pension Plan
 5.92
 
 
369,690

 
 
Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan (SERP)
 
 
 
157,084

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
William J. Leatherberry
Non-Contributory Defined Pension Plan
 7.00
 
 
202,430

 
 
Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan (SERP)
 
 
 
171,780

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steve Schneider
Non-Contributory Defined Pension Plan
 10.75
 
 
851,849

 
 
Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan (SERP)
 
 
 
49,696

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michelle Harrison
Non-Contributory Defined Pension Plan
 11.67
 
 
260,783

 
 
Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan (SERP)
 
 
 
46,715

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Logan W. Kruger
Non-Contributory Defined Pension Plan
 5.92
 
 
784,928

 
 
Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan (SERP)
 
 
 
8,285,578

(b)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wayne R. Hale
Non-Contributory Defined Pension Plan
 4.17
 
 
–

 
 
Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan (SERP)
 
 
 
745,504

 
(a)
Represents the actuarial present value of accumulated retirement benefits using interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in the Company’s financial statements.
(b)
Includes Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan and Enhanced Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan.

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Table of Contents

 Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control
 
The following table sets forth the amount of compensation payable to each of our named executive officers upon termination of such executive’s employment. The amount of compensation payable to each named executive officer following: termination following a change of control, involuntary termination for cause, involuntary termination not-for-cause, death, disability, retirement and voluntary resignation is shown. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2011.  The actual amount to be paid can only be determined at the time of such executive’s termination.
2011 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control Tables
 
Type of Termination
Name
Voluntary
By Company without Cause or by Officer with Good Reason
By Company with Cause
Retirement
Disability
Death
Following a Change in Control
Michael A. Bless
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salary
$
—

 
$
1,338,000

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,338,000

 
$
—

 
$
1,329,000

 
Bonus
—

 
975,380

 
—

 
—

 
975,380

 
310,100

 
1,380,000

 
Qualified Retirement Benefits
369,690

(a)
369,690

(a)
369,690

(a)
369,690

(a)
369,690

(a)
184,845

(b)
369,690

(a)
SERP
157,084

(a)
157,084

(a)
157,084

(a)
157,084

(a)
157,084

(a)
78,542

(b)
289,144

(d)
Excise Tax Gross Up
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,240,501

 
Insurance Continuation
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
61,008

 
Total
$
526,774

 
$
2,840,154

 
$
526,774

 
$
526,774

 
$
2,840,154

 
$
573,487

 
$
4,669,343

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
William J. Leatherberry
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salary
$
—

 
$
935,000

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
748,000

 
Bonus
—

 
916,300

 
—

 
—

 
—

(c)
261,800

 
1,191,600

 
Qualified Retirement Benefits
202,430

(a)
202,430

(a)
202,430

(a)
202,430

(a)
202,430

(a)
101,215

(b)
202,430

(a)
SERP
171,780

(a)
297,470

(d)
171,780

(a)
171,780

(a)
171,780

(a)
85,890

(b)
262,110

(d)
Excise Tax Gross Up
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,015,690

 
Insurance Continuation
—

 
51,878

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
41,502

 
Total
$
374,210

 
$
2,403,078

 
$
374,210

 
$
374,210

 
$
374,210

 
$
448,905

 
$3,461,332
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steve Schneider
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salary
$
—

 
$
283,000

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
566,000

 
Bonus
—

 
311,300

 
—

 
—

 
—

(c)
—

(c)
585,000

 
Qualified Retirement Benefits
851,849

(a)
851,849

(a)
851,849

(a)
851,849

(a)
851,849

(a)
425,925

(b)
851,849

(a)
SERP
49,696

(a)
83,872

(d)
49,696

(a)
49,696

(a)
49,696

(a)
24,848

(b)
191,771

(d)
Excise Tax Gross Up
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
889,900

 
Insurance Continuation
—

 
23,431

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
46,862

 
Total
$
901,545

 
$1,553,452
 
$
901,545

 
$901,545
 
$
901,545

 
$450,773
 
$3,131,382
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michelle Harrison
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salary
$
—

 
$
468,000

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
468,000

 
Bonus
—

 
315,900

 
—

 
—

 
—

(c)
—

(c)
495,000

 
Qualified Retirement Benefits
260,783

(a)
260,783

(a)
260,783

(a)
260,783

(a)
260,783

(a)
130,392

(b)
260,783

(a)
SERP
46,715

(a)
60,666

(d)
46,715

(a)
46,715

(a)
46,715

(a)
23,358

(b)
96,586

(d)
Excise Tax Gross Up
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
517,182

 
Insurance Continuation
—

 
41,252

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
41,252

 
Total
$
307,498

 
$1,146,601
 
$
307,498

 
$307,498
 
$
307,498

 
$153,750
 
$1,878,803
 

(2011 Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control Tables continued on the next page)



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Table of Contents

(2011 Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control Tables continued from the previous page)
 
Type of Termination
Name
Voluntary
By Company without Cause or by Officer with Good Reason
By Company with Cause
Retirement
Disability
Death
Following a Change in Control
Logan W. Kruger (e)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Qualified Retirement Benefits
$
784,928

(a)
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
SERP
1,383,809

(a)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
SERP with Enhancement
6,901,769

(a)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
Total
$
9,070,506

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wayne R. Hale (f)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SERP
$
745,404

(a)
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
Total
$
745,404

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
(a)
Amount shown will not be paid to the named executive as a lump sum.  Rather, the amount represents the actuarial calculated present value of benefits that will be received upon obtaining normal retirement age (62).
(b)
Amount shown will not be paid to the named executive as a lump sum.  Rather, amount represents the actuarial calculated present value of benefits that will be paid to a surviving spouse as an annuity upon the named executive’s death.
(c)
Final award determination will be made by the Committee under the Company's Annual Incentive Plan.
(d)
Represents the amount the named executive will receive as a lump sum payment of the actuarial equivalent of the difference between the retirement benefits the named executive is currently entitled to receive under our qualified pension plan and a “recalculated” retirement benefit that includes additional 24, 30 or 36 months, as applicable, of credited service.  In addition, the named executive is entitled to the remainder of the retirement benefits upon reaching normal retirement age.
(e)
Mr. Kruger terminated his employment with the Company and resigned as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company effective November 14, 2011.  Mr. Kruger has filed a lawsuit against the Company alleging breach of contract and wrongful termination in violation of public policy.  The lawsuit alleges that Century anticipatorily breached the employment and severance protection agreements between Century and Mr. Kruger and that Century is obligated to make various severance payments in excess of $20 million to Mr. Kruger under such agreements.  In addition, the complaint seeks unspecified damages, including exemplary and punitive damages, for wrongful termination, as well as costs and attorneys’ fees.  The trial court has transferred the matter to an arbitration panel for resolution.    We believe these claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourself against them.  The matter is in a preliminary stage, and we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this action or estimate a range of possible losses related to this matter at this time.  We do not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve this action will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, regardless of the ultimate outcome.
(f)
On May 11, 2011, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement and General Release (the “Separation Agreement”) with Mr.  Hale.  Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Hale resigned as an executive officer of the Company and as a director, officer or employee, as applicable, of the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates effective May 11, 2011 (the “Separation Date”).  In order to ensure a smooth transition of his duties, Mr. Hale entered into a consulting agreement with the Company effective through December 31, 2011, pursuant to which Mr. Hale was paid $811,280 in 2011.  Under the terms of the Separation Agreement, Mr. Hale agreed to a general release of claims with respect to the Company (including any claims arising under Mr. Hale’s existing employment agreement or severance protection agreement with the Company) and is subject to non-disparagement, cooperation and confidentiality provisions. In consideration for his agreement to the general release and these restrictive covenants, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Hale $2,255,192 in substantially equal installments following the Separation Date through December 31, 2013.  In addition, Mr. Hale received a pro-rata target annual bonus payment of $122,164 and (i) all time-vested performance share units and a pro-rata portion of all unvested cash-settled performance units held by Mr. Hale vested on the Separation Date and had a total value on such date of $129,751 and (ii) a pro-rata portion of Mr. Hale’s outstanding awards under the Century Aluminum Long-Term Transformational Incentive Plan vested on the Separation Date having a total value on such date of $80,055.
*
See “Deferred Compensation” for additional information with respect to performance-units and time-vested performance shares that have already vested, but for which settlement may be accelerated upon certain subsequent events.
**
Messrs. Kruger and Hale have only been included under the voluntary termination column in the forgoing table as such individuals had voluntarily terminated their employment with the Company prior to December 31, 2011.

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Severance Compensation Arrangements
Severance Protection Agreements
 
As discussed under the heading “Post-Termination Compensation and Benefits,” we have entered into severance compensation agreements with each of Messrs. Bless, Schneider and Leatherberry and Mrs. Harrison. The agreements generally provide that if within 36 months after we experience a change in control the executive’s employment is terminated either (i) by us for other than cause or disability, or (ii) by such executive for good reason, then such executive will receive a lump sum payment equal to three times for Mr. Bless, and two times for Messrs. Schneider and Leatherberry and Mrs. Harrison, the aggregate of the highest base salary and the highest annual cash bonus or bonuses received by such executive in any of the most recent five years. Also, upon a change in control, unvested stock options and performance shares held by such executives will vest assuming that all performance targets were achieved at the 100% level. The agreements also provide that we will continue to provide benefits to each executive for a period of three years for Mr. Bless and two years for Messrs. Schneider and Leatherberry and Mrs. Harrison, after the date of his termination. In addition, the executive will be credited for pension purposes, a period of two to three years, as the case may be, beyond the termination date, at that executive’s highest base salary and highest bonus level, and Century will pay to the executive in a single lump sum the difference between the actuarial equivalent of (a) what the executive would have been entitled to under our retirement plans and (b) what he is entitled to taking into account the terms of the severance protection agreement, assuming the executive is 100% vested in the increase benefit under the retirement plans. The agreements are for a set period of time, but are subject to automatic one-year extensions on each January 1, unless the executive’s employment is terminated prior to a change in control.
 
Employment Agreements
 
Our employment agreement with Mr. Bless provides that upon termination of employment for any reason other than voluntary resignation without cause, death, disability or “for cause”, Mr. Bless will be entitled to receive termination payments equal to (i) 100% of his base salary and bonus (based on the highest annual bonus payment within the prior three years) for the remainder of the term of the agreement (with a minimum of one year’s salary plus bonus), (ii) his pro-rated target annual bonus for the period prior to his termination and (iii) an amount equal to his target long-term cash incentive compensation award (assuming achievement at target level of performance goals for the performance period).    
 
Our employment agreement with Mr. Leatherberry provides that upon termination of employment for any reason other than voluntary resignation without cause, death, disability or “for cause”, Mr. Leatherberry will be entitled to receive (a)  lump sum termination payment equal to 250% of his base salary, (b) 250% of the greater of (i) his target annual bonus on his termination date and (ii) his target annual bonus for the most recently completed fiscal year and (c) the sum of (i) his pro-rated target annual bonus for the period prior to his termination and (ii) his pro-rated target long-term cash incentive compensation award (assuming achievement at target level of performance goals for the performance period) for the period prior to his termination.
 
If the executive is terminated as a result of the executive’s disability, the payments due to the executive will be reduced by any payments he receives under our disability plans.  Also, any termination payments under the employment agreements may not be duplicated under the severance protection agreements described above.   
 
Executive Severance Plan
 
Mr. Schneider and Mrs. Harrison are participants in our Executive Severance Plan.  The Executive Severance Plan provides that upon a termination of employment for any reason other than voluntary resignation without cause, death, disability or “for cause”, (I) Mr. Schneider will be entitled to receive termination payments equal to (i) 100% of his base salary, (ii) 100% of the greater of (x) his target annual bonus on his termination date and (y) his target annual bonus for the most recently completed fiscal year and (iii) his pro-rated target annual bonus for the period prior to his termination and (II) Mrs. Harrison will be entitled to receive termination payments equal to (i) 200% of her base salary, (ii) 200% of the greater of (x) her target annual bonus on her termination date and (y) her target annual bonus for the most recently completed fiscal year and (iii) her pro-rated target annual bonus for the period prior to his termination.     
 
409A and other tax considerations
 
Any amounts payable to each officer by reason of his termination of employment that are determined to constitute payments of “nonqualified deferred compensation,” as that term is used for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, shall be payable, together with interest thereon, on the first business day of the seventh month following his termination of employment; and, for our officers that have employment agreements, require that the executive receive any severance at the same

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time and in the same form as required under the executive's employment agreement in lieu of single lump sum severance payments under certain circumstances and added a covenant on the part of the executive to maintain the confidentiality of information the executive received in the course of his employment.
 
The Code imposes certain excise taxes on, and limits the deductibility of, certain compensatory payments made by a corporation to or for the benefit of certain individuals if such payments are contingent upon certain changes in the ownership or effective control of the corporation or the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation, provided that such payments to the individual have an aggregate present value in excess of three times the individual’s annualized includible compensation for the base period, as defined in the Code. The severance compensation agreements provide for additional payments to the executives in order to fully offset any excise taxes payable by an executive as a result of the payments and benefits provided in the agreements. All benefits afforded the named executive officers under the severance compensation agreements are included in the amounts set forth in the “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control” table above.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information

Equity Compensation Plan Information(a)
Plan Category
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
Weighted-average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders
979,526
$24.51(b)
7,429,267
(a)
As of December 31, 2011
(b)
Represents the weighted-average exercise price of 632,334 options outstanding under the 1996 Plan.  There is no exercise price associated with 347,192 time-vested performance share units also outstanding under the 1996 Plan.


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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Related Person Transaction Policy
 
We have a written policy and written procedures for the review, approval and monitoring of transactions involving Century or its subsidiaries and “related persons.” For the purposes of the policy, “related persons” include executive officers, directors and director nominees and their immediate family members, and stockholders owning five percent or greater of our outstanding stock and their family members. Certain transactions are to be approved by the independent directors acting as a separate body. A copy of our Related Person Transaction Policy is available in the Investor section of our website, www.centuryaluminum.com, under the tab “Corporate Governance.”
 
Our Related Person Transaction Policy is administered by the Audit Committee and applies to all related person transactions entered into after its adoption. This policy applies, subject to certain specific exclusions, to any transaction, arrangement or relationship or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which Century or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a participant and where any related person had or will have a direct or indirect interest. Transactions involving less than $50,000 are not subject to review and approval under the policy. In addition, the policy defines certain ordinary course transactions with Glencore that are not material and not subject to review and approval under the policy, although those transactions are otherwise reviewed and approved by our Audit Committee. Pursuant to the policy, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing qualifying related person transactions. However, all transactions with Glencore for new long-term supply agreements are subject to review under the policy and any other transaction the Audit Committee Chair determines is material is reviewed by the independent directors, acting as a separate body of our Board of Directors. Based on its consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances, whether the transaction is on terms that are fair and reasonable to Century and whether the transaction is in the business interests of Century, the Audit Committee or independent directors, as the case may be, will decide whether or not to approve or ratify such transaction. If a related person transaction is submitted to the Audit Committee after the commencement of the transaction, the Audit Committee or independent directors, as the case may be, will evaluate all options available, including the ratification, rescission or termination of such transaction.
Recent Related Party Transactions with Glencore
 
Approval of Transactions with Glencore
 
All transactions with Glencore, subject to our approval policy described above, were approved by the Audit Committee or by a special committee comprised solely of independent directors.
 
Hedging with Glencore
 
We have entered into primary aluminum put option contracts with Glencore that settle monthly based on LME prices.  The option contract volumes account for a portion of our domestic production, with a strike price around our domestic facilities’ average cash basis break-even price.  These options were purchased to partially mitigate the risk of a future decline in aluminum prices.  We paid a cash premium to enter into these contracts which we believe approximated the market price at the time of purchase.  We determine the fair value of the put options using a Black Scholes pricing model with inputs obtained from an independent source and account for the put options as derivative financial instruments with gains and losses in the fair value of the contracts recorded on the consolidated statements of operations in net gains and (losses) on forward contracts.  As of April 1, 2012, we have outstanding put options with Glencore with respect to an aggregate of 9,000 metric tons of primary aluminum.
 
Purchases from Glencore
 
In 2011, we purchased alumina from Glencore on both a spot and long-term contract basis. We believe that all of the alumina purchased under these long-term contracts was purchased at prices which approximated market. For alumina purchased from Glencore on a spot basis, we determined the market price for the spot alumina we purchased based on a survey of suppliers at the time that had the ability to deliver spot alumina on the specified terms.  Based on this survey, we believe that all of the alumina purchased on a spot basis from Glencore was purchased at prices that approximate market prices.
 
Alumina contract and amendments.  We are party to a long-term alumina supply agreement with Glencore.  Glencore agreed to supply us with alumina through 2014 at prices indexed to the LME price of primary aluminum.


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Sales to Glencore
 
In 2011, we sold primary aluminum and alumina to Glencore both at spot and long-term contract basis.
 
In 2011, we sold primary aluminum under our long-term sales contracts with Glencore at prices based on the LME price for primary aluminum, as adjusted to reflect the Midwest Premium (a premium typically added for deliveries of aluminum within the U.S.). In addition, we received tolling fees from Glencore under tolling agreements that provide for delivery of primary aluminum produced at Grundartangi. The fee paid by Glencore under these tolling agreements is based on the LME price for primary aluminum, as adjusted to reflect the reduced European Union import duty paid on Icelandic primary aluminum. We believe that all of the transactions with Glencore under these contracts were at prices that approximate market prices.
 
We have a long-term contract to sell Glencore primary aluminum, at a variable price based on the LME, adjusted by a negotiated U.S. Midwest market premium with a cap and floor as applied to the current U.S. Midwest Premium.  In addition, we have entered into contracts to sell Glencore all of our U.S. produced primary aluminum in 2011 and 2012, less existing sales agreements and high-purity metal sales.  The term of the contract may be extended upon mutual agreement.
 
Other Transactions with Glencore
 
As of December 31, 2011, we believe that Glencore beneficially owned, through its common stock, approximately 41.6% of our issued and outstanding common stock and, through its ownership of common and preferred stock, an overall 46.4% economic ownership of Century.
 
Summary
 
A summary of the aforementioned related party transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011 is as follows:
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2012
Year ended
December 31, 2011
Net sales to Glencore
$
137,351,000

 
$
564,431,000

 
Purchases from Glencore
 $
43,919,000

 
 $
187,691,000

 
Cash premium to Glencore for put option contracts
$
–

 
$
2,106,000

 

Director Independence
 
For a discussion of the independence of our directors, see “Corporate Governance and Other Board Matters” above.

OTHER MATTERS

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors does not know of any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting, nor have we received notice of any matter by the deadline prescribed by Rule 14a-4 under the Exchange Act. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the accompanying proxy confers discretionary authority with respect to any such matters, and the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters. All expenses in connection with the solicitation of proxies will be borne by us. In addition to this solicitation, officers, directors and regular employees of Century, without any additional compensation, may solicit proxies by mail, telephone or personal contact. Morrow & Co., LLC. has been retained to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee of $4,000 plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We will, upon request, reimburse brokerage houses and other nominees for their reasonable expenses in sending proxy materials to their principals.

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
 
Stockholder proposals for inclusion in the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting in 2013 should be addressed to our Corporate Secretary, 2511 Garden Road, Building A, Suite 200, Monterey, California 93940 and must be received by the deadline prescribed by Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act (provided that the 2013 Annual Meeting is not held more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the 2012 Annual Meeting, the applicable deadline will be April 1, 2013).  In addition, our Bylaws currently require that for business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder, regardless of whether included in our proxy statement, the stockholder must give written notice of his or her intention to propose such business to our Corporate Secretary, which notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, our principal executive offices no later than the close of business on the sixtieth (60) day prior to the first anniversary of our prior year's Annual Meeting (which cut-off date is expected to be July 20, 2013 in the case of the 2013 Annual Meeting). Upon certain circumstances, different notice periods may apply and anyone seeking to bring business at an Annual Meeting should carefully review our Bylaws and comply with all rules and procedures included therein.
Notice of stockholder proposals must set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting the information required by our Bylaws, which includes, among other things: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (ii) the name and address of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and number of shares which are beneficially owned by the stockholder (including any derivatives, short interests or other similar instruments held by the stockholder), (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such proposal or any arrangements entered into with third parties with respect to such proposal and (v) any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies. The Bylaws further provide that the chairman of the Annual Meeting may refuse to permit any business to be brought before an Annual Meeting that does not comply with the foregoing procedures. Any stockholder seeking to bring business at an Annual Meeting should carefully review our Bylaws and comply with all rules and procedures included therein.

By Order of the Board of Directors,
William J. Leatherberry
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
                                                                                                                     
 
Monterey, California
August 3, 2012




We will provide without charge to each person solicited hereby, upon the written request of any such person, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (without exhibits). Requests should be made to Office of the General Counsel, 2511 Garden Road, Building A, Suite 200, Monterey, California 93940.



44
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Appendix A

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE FIFTH
OF OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
TO DECLASSIFY OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND PROVIDE FOR THE
ANNUAL ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

FIFTH.    (1)    The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors consisting of not less than three (3) nor more than eleven (11) directors. The exact number of directors within the minimum and maximum limitations specified in the preceding sentence shall be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the vote of a majority of the total number of directors.

(2)    The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III, which shall be as nearly equal in number as possible. Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting at which such director was elected; provided, however, that each initial director in Class I shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1997; each initial director in Class II shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1998; and each initial director in Class III shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1999At the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, the successors of the directors whose terms expire at that meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders and shall hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting; at the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders, the successors of the directors whose terms expire at that meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders and shall hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting; and at each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter, all directors shall be elected for terms expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders and shall hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting.

(3)    In the event of any increase or decrease in the authorized number of directors, (a) each director than serving as such shall nevertheless continue as a director of the class of which he is a member until the expiration of his current term, or his earlier resignation, retirement, removal from office, disqualification or death, and (b) the newly created or eliminated directorships resulting from such increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board of Directors among the three classes of directors so as to maintain such classes as nearly equal as possible.

(3)Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Article FIFTH, each director shall serve until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation, retirement, removal from office, disqualification or death.

(4)Should a vacancy occur or be created, whether arising through resignation, retirement, removal from office, disqualification or death or through an increase in the number of directors, such vacancy shall be filled by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors remaining in office, though they constitute less than a quorum of the Board of Directors and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of the class to which they have been elected expires.

45
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(5)Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for with or without cause and, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

(6)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any other provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation required by law, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any designation of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the combined voting power of the Corporation's outstanding voting securities, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal this Article FIFTH.


46
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Appendix B


PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE SEVENTH
OF OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
GRANTING STOCKHOLDERS OWNING NOT LESS THAT 10% OF OUR OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK THE RIGHT TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS


Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, (A) any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders and (B) special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by (i) the Board of Directors of the Corporation or, (ii) the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors or (iii) the Secretary of the Corporation upon the written request of stockholders of record who have owned, or are acting on behalf of beneficial owners who have owned, in the aggregate, not less than 10% of all outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation (the “Requisite Percentage”) continuously for at least one year preceding such written request and who continue to own the Requisite Percentage through the date of the conclusion of the special meeting, in each case in accordance with the applicable requirements and procedures set forth in the Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended from time to time. The stockholders of the Corporation may not call a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation or require the Board of Directors or Executive Committee of the Board of Directors to call a special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation. The Board of Directors or the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors may call a A special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may only be called by giving written notice to the stockholders of the Corporation. Such notice must specify the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. The stockholders of the Corporation may not submit any matters or proposals for consideration at any special meeting. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the sole authority to interpret the provisions of this Article SEVENTH and the Bylaws relating to special meetings of stockholders and to determine whether such provisions have been complied with. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation required by law, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any designation of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the combined voting power of the Corporation's outstanding voting securities, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal this Article SEVENTH.

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*** Exercise Your Right to Vote ***
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on September 18, 2012

CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
 
Meeting Information
 
Meeting Type:
Annual Meeting
 
 
For holders as of:
July 24, 2012
 
 
Date:
September 18, 2012
Time:
8:30 a.m., Local Time
 
 
Location:
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel
 
 
 
 
One Old Golf Course Road
 
 
 
 
Monterey, California
 
 
 
 
 
 
You are receiving this communication because you held shares in Century Aluminum Company common stock on July 24, 2012.
 
This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares.  This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online at www.proxyvote.com or request a paper copy (see reverse side for additional information).
 
We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY 
2511 GARDEN ROAD
BUILDING A, SUITE 200
MONTEREY, CA 93940
 
 
 
See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions.

48
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------ Before You Vote ------
How to Access the Proxy Materials
Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECIEVE:
 
 
1.
Century's 2012 Notice and Proxy Statement
 
 
2.
Century's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011
 
 
3.
Century's Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2011
 
How to View Online:
 
 
 
Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow à
XXXX XXXXX XXXX
(located on the
following page) and visit: www.proxyvote.com.
 
How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy:
If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is NO charge for
requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:
 
 
1) BY INTERNET:
www.proxyvote.com
 
 
 
2) BY TELEPHONE:
1-800-579-1639
 
 
 
3) BY E-MAIL*:
sendmaterial@proxyvote.com
 
* If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked
by the arrow à
XXXX XXXX XXXX
 available and follow the instructions.
 
Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card.

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Voting Items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ITEMS 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5.
3.
Election of Directors
 
 
 
Nominee
 
 
 
01)
Jarl Berntzen
 
 
1.
Proposal to adopt and approve an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to declassify our Board of Directors and provide for the annual election of Directors.
2.
Proposal to adopt and approve an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation granting stockholders owning not less than 10% of our outstanding Common Stock the right to call a special meeting of stockholders.
4.
Proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte and Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.
5.
Proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, a resolution on the compensation of our named executive officers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





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VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com
 
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
 
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
 
2511 GARDEN ROAD
 
 
 
BUILDING A, SUITE 200
 
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
MONTEREY, CA 93940
 
If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
 
 
 
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VOTE BY MAIL
 
 
 
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
 
 
 




TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
 
 
 
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
THIS CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED


CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For All
Withhold All
For All Except
 
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark "For All Except" and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.
 
 
 
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ITEMS 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5.
o
o
o
 
 
 
 
 
3.
Election of Directors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nominee
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
01) Jarl Berntzen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For
Against
Abstain
 
 
For
Against
Abstain
1.
Proposal to adopt and approve an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to declassify our Board of Directors and provide for the annual election of Directors.
o
o
o
4.
Proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.
o
o
o
2.
Proposal to adopt and approve an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation granting stockholders owning not less than 10% of our outstanding Common Stock the right to call a special meeting of stockholders.
o
o
o
5.
Proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, a resolution on executive compensation.
o
o
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE: By execution of this Proxy Card, the undersigned hereby authorizes the proxies to vote, in their discretion, on any other business that may properly be brought before the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated.
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]
Date
 
 
 
Signature (Joint Owners)
Date
 
 

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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
Century's 2012 Proxy Statement, Form 10-K and Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2011; and
any amendments to the foregoing materials are available at www.proxyvote.com















 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012
The stockholders hereby appoint William J. Leatherberry and Jesse E. Gary, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of Century Aluminum Company that the stockholder is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 8:30 a.m., local time on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel, One Old Golf Course Road, Monterey, California, and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THIS PROXY CARD, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE BUT THE CARD IS SIGNED, THIS PROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1, FOR PROPOSAL 2, FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE UNDER PROPOSAL 3, FOR PROPOSAL 4 AND FOR PROPOSAL 5 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
 
Address Changes/Comments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continued and to be signed on reverse side
 
 


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