Processing technology built for recovery, and for the plant around it

Upstream Technology’s processing technology covers X-ray sorting, density measurement and plant support, so mines can recover more from a steadier circuit.

11 September 2026

At Electra Mining Africa, Upstream Technology set out how its sorting, measurement and separation technologies sit alongside metallurgical support for mines that need higher recovery and steadier plants.

High-throughput coarse X-ray transmission sorter for mineral processing

Processing technology for the hard parts of the circuit

Mines are asking processing plants to recover more, run more steadily and waste less. Upstream Technology is answering that with equipment developed for the harder parts of mineral processing, and with the technical support needed to make that equipment work in a real circuit. The business brings together the technology heritage of De Beers Marine and Ignite: development, engineering and a long record in diamond processing.

Sorting, measurement and separation

The range covers the main steps of recovery and plant control. Conventional X-ray luminescence sorters recover diamonds by the way they respond to X-rays. X-ray transmission systems are built for high feed rates and for reconcentration. RhoVol measures density without interrupting the flow of material. Non-nuclear dense-medium controllers manage the separation medium, and MagRoll magnetic separators take magnetic material out of the circuit. Luminescent tracers and ceramic diamond simulants are used alongside the machines so sorting performance can be checked and tuned.

Support that stays with the plant

Supplying the machine is only part of the offer. Teams also assess plant flowsheets, run ore-dressing studies, train operators and technical staff, inspect and repair equipment, and respond when a plant needs help quickly. That mix of hardware and application knowledge is what lets a customer tighten a process and take more value from the same ore.

Built for smarter, data-led recovery

Michael Curtis, Chief Executive of Upstream Technology, outlined the approach in an interview with Engineering News and Mining Weekly at Electra Mining Africa in Johannesburg, held from 7 to 11 September 2026. As operations look for smarter, data-led ways to recover minerals and keep plants stable, that combination of specialist processing technology and on-the-ground support is where Upstream Technology expects to keep building.

The processing offer at a glance

Sorting: X-ray luminescence sorters for diamond recovery, and X-ray transmission systems for high feed rates and reconcentration
Measurement: RhoVol density measurement without interrupting material flow
Separation: non-nuclear dense-medium controllers and MagRoll magnetic separators
Performance checks: luminescent tracers and ceramic diamond simulants
Plant support: flowsheet assessments, ore-dressing studies, operator and technical training, equipment inspection and repair, and rapid response