Abstract: Reduction roasting of manganese ore is the first step in the extraction of the metal, production of manganese based chemicals and benefaction of ferruginous manganese ores. In comparison to the conventional processes, the invented process replaces the expensive petroleum based reductant injected with air by cheap solid carbonaceous material and sealing of air entry. In the invented process the manganese ore, solid carbonaceous reductant and water are mixed. The mixture is formed into a bed on a grate. The top surface is ignited to incandescence while maintaining suction below the grate and then the top surface is sealed against entry of air while continuing the suction. The combustion of the solid reductant proceeds drawing the oxygen from the ore itself, resulting in high reduction. The product is cooled either by direct water quenching or by indirect means. The equipment employed is either a batch type pot or a continuous strand with sealing devices and material handling systems.