FIELD: metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: method includes direct reduction of ground material containing iron oxide with reducing gas formed in melting and falsifying zone from carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas. Reducing gas contains from 20 to 100 g/Ncu.m of dust at carbon content ranging from 30 to 70 mas.% of material containing iron oxide is subjected to action of reducing gas during period of time which exceeds period required for complete reduction, thus making it possible to obtain sponge iron at increased content of carbon. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency. 6 cl, 3 dwg, 5 tbl, 1 ex
