Abstract: A method of preparing a mineral ore may include crushing the mineral ore via a crusher apparatus to form crushed mineral ore. The method may further include depositing the crushed mineral ore into a media mill and adding water and dispersant into the media mill to form a slurry of the crushed mineral ore. The method may further include operating the media mill to grind the crushed mineral ore to form a slurry of ground mineral ore, and separating media of the media mill from the slurry of the ground mineral ore. The mineral ore may include at least one of bauxite and kaolin. For example, the mineral ore may include at least one of crude bauxite and crude kaolin, and crushing the mineral ore may include crushing the at least one of crude bauxite and crude kaolin. The method may be used to prepare a feed for use in ceramic proppants.