Abstract: A method for processing iron ore to obtain steel by feeding the DRI into a smelting furnace so as to obtain an intermediate iron product, which is then subsequently introduced into a conversion unit for obtaining steel form the intermediate iron product. Moreover, carbon is introduced into the process. As a consequence, a suitable carbon content may be achieved for the intermediate iron product such that impurities of the intermediate iron product may be reduced along with carbon contents thereof in a steel conversion process without sacrificing iron contents of the intermediate iron product. Simultaneously, suitable fluxes are fed into the smelting furnace together with the DRI, such that high-quality slag suitable as raw material for further processing is obtained therefrom. An associated smelting furnace arrangement is also disclosed.