In this work the function and objective within the processing plant of the Steirischen Erzberg of two sensor-based sorting machines are described. For this purpose, a technical description and an instruction manual are written. The technical description includes the structure of the respective machine and describes their working principle. In addition reference is made to common problems and errors. The instruction manual includes a description of the most important software packages on each machine and a manual on how to deal with them. The first practical part of the work deals with a sampling campaign of the sorting machine Redwave. The procedure of sampling is outlined as well as the evaluation of data by mass balances and the limit curve of selectivity inferred by H. J. Steiner. The main part focuses on the composition and production of standard materials, by means of which the optimal settings for both sorters are elaborated. The separation products of the machines operated with the standards at varied settings are sampled. The results of the standard distribution were used to define the optimum settings. Sampling of line C of the processing plant at the Steirische Erzberg operated with a selected ore type completes the work. Sample processing including the chemical assay by XRF is outlined. Mass balances for iron and mercury are compared on the basis of various methods of error balancing.