Abstract: A method for operating a blowing lance for blowing a gas in a metallurgical vessel, wherein the head of the blowing lance includes at least one supersonic nozzle, operating parameter measurement signals used for the purpose of process control are continuously acquired. The inlet pressure and/or the inlet temperature of the gas at the supersonic nozzle and/or the vibration amplitude and/or the vibration frequency of the blowing lance and/or the time at which ignition occurs during the oxygen blowing process and/or the location at which ignition occurs during the oxygen blowing process is detected and/or measured in the head of the lance by a detector or sensor arranged in the head of the lance near the supersonic nozzle during operation of the blowing lance. The measurement signal(s) are transmitted to a control unit connected to the detector or sensor and made available for controlling the operation of the blowing lance.