This paper summarizes some of the author＇s industrial scale experiences in modifying grinding environments for improved downstream product performance, In many grinding applications, the choice of an appropriate grinding environment is as important as the choice of equipment type and size, Thus, moisture content, water hardness, organic chemical presence, temperature, particle size distribution, particle shape, etc., often can dictate the downstream product processability. Specific comments will be given on chemical/rheology effects in the preparation of dense coal/water slurries for gasification, on particle size effects on froth flotation, on oxidation effects in the grinding of sulfide minerals, and on the wet grinding of silica containing minerals.