FIELD: metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: method involves feeding heated ore into high-pressure transfer vessel; compressing ore in transfer vessel by compressed gas; feeding compressed ore into high-pressure reaction vessel through transfer pipeline by compressed gas. Ore is continuously charged into high-pressure reaction vessel alternatively from one vessel and then from other transfer vessel. Compressed gas is taken from reaction gas in predetermined amount or as one of its components, for instance CO2,, and returned together with ore. Compressed gas is produced by preliminarily compressing gas to 20 bars. Ore supplying pipeline and compressed gas pipeline are provided with locking fittings allowing alternative connection to one of transfer vessels. Compressed gas pipeline, transfer vessels, transfer pipelines and reaction vessel are communicated to define circulation system. Compressed gas pipeline is further provided with compressor, pressure variation compensator and locking fittings allowing this pipeline to be sequentially connected to each transfer pipeline. Transfer vessels are mounted on weighing devices providing continuous weighing of vessels. Transfer vessels are alternatively filled with required material depending on measured weight. EFFECT: increased efficiency by optimum usage of reaction vessel, uniform charging and trouble-free metal reduction process during direct charging of ore. 12 cl, 1 dwg
