Process for the direct reduction of minerals on a continuous grate

A method of reduction of minerals using an endless moving grate producing deoxidized minerals comprising the steps of charging the grate with a first layer about 50 cm thick of chemically inert metallic material comprising substantially spherical elements of a screened size substantially equal to that of the mineral to be reduced, charging upon said first layer a second layer of mineral to be reduced, heating or oxidizing firing both layers from top to bottom by a flow of neutral or oxidizing gases which heats up said inert first layer, primarily reducing said second layer by a mixed flow of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas at a temperature of 1100.degree. C traversing the layers from top to bottom and continuing the heating of said first inert layer, secondarily reducing said second layer by a flow of hydrogen gas introduced at a temperature of about 700.degree. C and traversing the layers from bottom to top with heating thereof up to 1100.degree. C by traversing the inert metallic layer, primarily cooling said layers by a flow of cold hydrogen passing from bottom to top through said layers, secondarily cooling said layers by a flow of cold hydrogen passing from top to bottom through said layers, mixing said two flows which have traversed said layers in proportions suitable for obtaining a flow at about 700.degree. C, recycling said mixture as at least a portion of said flow of hydrogen gas for said secondary reduction and then discharging the reduced minerals from the grate.