A method of making metallic iron which comprises heating a mixed powder of a n iron oxide containing powder and a carbonaceous reducing agent containing powder in a state being laid on a hearth thereby conducting reduction and melting. Reduced iron with extremely low intrusion amount of slag ingredients and at high Fe purity can be obtain ed even by usig an iron oxide source of raw iron quality. No preliminary molding of the starting material powder into lumps or pellets shape is required.
