Abstract: A technique for forming a composite mixture of materials, at least one of which is a metal, in which each of the materials is supplied in a molten or slurry state to separate channels. The materials are then supplied to one or more mixing regions substantially simultaneously where they are caused to impinge upon each other to form a composite mixture thereof. The composite mixture is supplied to one or more cooling regions for casting, the supplying of the materials to the separate channels, the forming of the composite mixture and the casting being performed in a substantially continuous operation.