Abstract: The invention concerns the promotion of stirring of molten material (e.g. steel) within a receptacle such as a mould, vessel, or shell of a partially solidified metal strand emerging from a mould. Polyphase alternating currents are passed through electrically conductive elements located on, or forming part of, or lying adjacent to the receptable surface by joining both current connections of one or more transducers to the conductive elements to cause electrical currents to flow along paths in the elements to induce magnetic fields within the molten material and to promote stirring of the material.