<p>The present invention is directed to a method of producing metallic iron,
comprising: supplying a formed raw material comprising a carbonaceous reductant and a substance containing iron oxide onto hearth refractories of a moving hearth type reduction melting furnace; heating the formed raw material to subject the iron oxide to reduction melting; and ejecting and collecting resulting metallic iron after cooling the metallic iron, wherein a deposit layer containing slag produced in the reduction melting process is formed on the hearth refractories, thereby protecting the hearth refractories while producing the metallic iron.</p>
