FIELD: metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: method involves melting direct-process iron comprising at least 80 wt% of grains with maximal grain size of 3mm in electric arc furnace. Furnace has liquid iron melt. During operation of furnace layer of foamed slag is formed on melt. Direct-process iron falls under gravity through at least one movable tube into foamed slag layer onto iron melt without being urged by carrier gas. Each outlet opening of tube is dipped into foamed slag layer. Part of direct-process iron supplied into melt, which may be cast iron or steel, with respect to total amount of iron material charged is 85-100 wt%. Distance from discharge opening to iron melt surface is preferably maintained constant. It is desirable that direct-process iron be charged in heated state (300-1,000 C). EFFECT: simplified method of introducing into iron melt of direct-process small-grain iron in hot state into electric arc furnace, reduced losses and reduced amounts of used gases. 5 cl, 4 dwg
