Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of iron from iron ores, in which the ore is being heated and reduced in a rotary kiln by a treatment with solid carbon and with flame gas flowing in a countercurrent, the reduced iron is being collected and overheated in a first hearth furnace and is being fed in batches into a second hearth furnace, and is being converted there to pig iron, cast iron or steel, characterized in that the hot exhaust gases formed in the second hearth furnace are passed into the first hearth furnace and then through the rotary kiln together with the hot exhaust gases produced in the first hearth furnace.