The effect of selected inorganic and surface active grinding additives on wet ball milling of quartz has been studied as a function of pH and additive concentration. The results revealed that the effects of ferric nitrate and potassium amyl xanthate on wet ball milling of quartz were dependent on pH of the slurry and the concentrations of these additives. It was found that potassium amyl xanthate had marked beneficial effects on the production of –68 micron material at pH values between 5 and 8 at dosages between 5⋅10^–5 M and 5⋅10^–6 M. In ferric nitrate solutions, at pH 6.5 a decrease in the production of fines was observed. However, there was a marginal improvement on grinding efficiency at pH 5.