Abstract: Heterogeneous mineral-based particulate is comminuted by exposing the particulate to a cavitation fluid. In another embodiment, two or more streams of fluids with particulate entrained therein may be directed at one another to create, in an impact zone, collisions between the particulate of the two or more streams of fluid. Exposing the particulate to the cavitation fluid may occur inside or outside the impact zone, either before, at the same time, or after the collisions.