A composite milling component comprising a composite region of ceramic material and metal is disclosed. The milling component may comprise a lifting member such as a digger shoe of a vertical tower mill, a flight liner of a vertical tower mill, a shell liner of a horizontal axis mill, and/or an end liner of a horizontal axis mill. The composite region may be formed into a portion of the milling component that experiences greater wear than other portions to increase a wear-resistance of the milling component. The composite region may be formed integrally into the milling component during a casting processes of the milling component.