Abstract: A method for economically manufacturing high-grade pellets for metallurgical use in a blast furnace from several grades of iron ores, which method can produce high-strength green pellets and save grinding cost by preferentially grinding only ores having a W.I. value not higher than 20 KWH/T, thus relatively easy to grind ores, and mixing the thus ground ores with ores which are hard to grind, in an agglomerating (lump-making) step, such as a pelletizing step.

Abstract: Agglomerates for use in a blast furnace containing a cementitious material and formulated to maintain the CaO to SiO.sub.2 ratio in a range of from 1.2 to 1.9 and the slag forming ratio in a range of from 13 to 19% which when charged in a blast furnace assume an improved drafting aspect in the smelting reaction zone. The as-formed discrete moist agglomerates are to be cured without the necessity of a powder matrix prior to introduction to the furnace, whereby an adequate crushing strength is imparted to the agglomerate product to reduce handling difficulties resulting from the production of fines.