Why does the final grinding size depend on how minerals are distributed through an ore?

In mineral processing, the primary goal of comminution is to physically liberate valuable minerals from the waste rock with which they are interlocked.

The final grinding size is determined by the mineral's dissemination—essentially how finely or coarsely the desired minerals are distributed throughout the ore body. If a mineral is finely disseminated, it requires more extensive grinding to reach a powder fine enough to release the particles from the surrounding rock matrix. Conversely, if the minerals are more coarsely distributed, a coarser grind may be sufficient to achieve liberation. Ultimately, the ore must be ground to the specific fineness necessary to ensure that the valuable components are separated from the gangue, allowing for effective downstream recovery.1