Abstract: A suction-sintering charge of high permeability and stable structure is produced on a mobile suction-sintering grate or in a stationary or mobile suction-sintering pan by form compacting a moist material mixture (18) to be sintered to form a coherent cake (19), held together mainly by capillary forces, which cake is then broken into pieces having a size suitable to form a suction-sinter charge. The water content of the material mixture (18) is adjusted so that substantially the minimum of fuel is consumed at the intended sintering temperature and the compaction pressure is so adapted relative to the selected water content, corresponding substantially to the minimum fuel consumption, that the pore volume of the resultant cake is not totally filled by the amount of water present in said mixture.