Abstract: A method of manufacturing a briquetted coke from fine coal comprises carbonizing the coal at a temperature of from around 600.degree. to 900.degree. C., mixing the carbonized coal with approximately 10 to 80% and preferably from 20 to 40% of fine coal well caking coal, and thereafter hot briquetting the mixture at temperatures of from around 300.degree. to 500.degree. C. A fuel for shaft furnaces preferably includes the use of the hot briquettes as the only solid fuel in the shaft furnace, and it is particularly applicable for blast furnaces.