Method for reducing the size of metallic compound particles

An industrial process involving the use of metallic compound particles or agglomerates, comprising a step of reducing by at least 25% the average size of a substantial portion of said metallic compound particles or agglomerates, wherein said step includes a method comprising suspending metallic compound particles or agglomerates in a fluid and flowing one or more times said fluid having metallic compound particles or agglomerates suspended therein through one or more magnetic fields to reduce the average size of a substantial portion of the metallic compound particles or agglomerates by at least 25%, wherein said substantial portion is at least 20% by weight of said suspended particles or agglomerates, wherein the strength of each said magnetic field is at least 0.2 Tesla (2,000 gauss) and wherein the linear flow rate of said fluid through each said magnetic field is between 0.25 and 25 m/s.