A process for making slurries is provided. The process comprises providing a liquid component and a solids component; introducing the liquid component into a mixing vessel having pitched blade turbines; adding at least 25% of the solids component into the mixing vessel; initiating an in-line rotor stator positioned to receive the mixture from the mixing vessel; and re-circulating the mixture from the mixing vessel through the in-line rotor stator and back to the mixing vessel.