American Critical Metals Corp. has started financing modernization of Velta’s Birzulivske mining and processing facility in Kirovohrad region. The step is part of a broader plan to create a critical minerals cluster in Ukraine.
The first stage focuses on equipment upgrades and preparation for larger capital modernization. The facility is one of Velta’s key assets and specializes in titanium raw materials, a sector tied to aerospace, defense, energy transition and advanced manufacturing.
From raw material to deeper processing
The strategic idea is not only to extract minerals. Velta and its partners want to build a vertically integrated chain, from mining and processing to higher-value products. The next stage may involve development of the Likarivske deposit as a raw material base for the future cluster.
The partnership gained a new corporate frame after Critical Metals acquired European Lithium, which had previously negotiated with Velta. The companies say the ownership change should not alter the Ukrainian project’s direction.
For Ukraine, the modernization is important because critical minerals are becoming a geopolitical asset. Titanium and other strategic raw materials can attract capital, support industrial recovery and reduce dependence on low-value exports. The difficult part is execution: financing, debt restructuring, equipment renewal and stable demand all have to come together.
