Abstract: Process for the reduction of iron containing chrome ores in which a mixture of chrome ore, coal and slag producers with an ore-coal ratio of 1:0.4 to 1:2 is heated in a rotating furnace in a CO containing atmosphere to temperatures of between 1100.degree. and 1580.degree. C. and in which the rotating furnace is heated in counter flow by a burner through the central nozzle of which oxygen and/or air is supplied. The burner is located at the reaction product discharge end of the furnace and 10 to 90% of the coal for the raw material mixture is introduced into the rotating furnace through the reaction product discharge end, with at least part of this coal being introduced through an outer nozzle of the burner.