The effect of grinding media on milling kinetics has been generally studied using one media shape. However, very little work has been done on investigating mixtures of media shapes. Combining different grinding mechanisms in term of contacts, the volume of grinding zones can be efficiently increased when there is an optimal mixture of two or more grinding media with different shapes and, therefore the milling kinetics will be improved. A series of batch grinding tests was carried out using the same mass of spherical balls, Eclipsoids (TM) and cubes to break coarse, medium and fine sizes of quartz material. Then, mixtures of the same mass made of spherical balls and cubes, spherical balls and Eclipsoids (TM) were successively considered. The breakage parameters were determined and used to evaluate the grinding performances of the mixtures of grinding media under the same conditions. It was found that mixtures of grinding media shapes can increase the breakage rate in a particular milling environment. But, spherical balls remain the most efficient grinding media. Finally, an optimal mixture made of spherical balls and grinding media of different shapes, namely cubes and Eclipsoids that are cheaper to manufacture can be used in the grinding process alternatively to 100% balls. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.