METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MINERAL FIBRES

The present invention relates to a process for the production of mineral fibres and to an apparatus which can be used in such a process. In particular, the process of the present invention comprises: providing a furnace; charging to the furnace mineral materials which comprise iron oxides; melting the charged mineral materials in a reducing atmosphere, such that there is a base zone in the furnace in which molten iron collects, and a melt pool above the base zone where mineral melt collects; removing mineral melt from the furnace and converting it to mineral fibres; and removing molten iron from the base zone; characterised in that, during the process, an additive is released directly into the base zone of the furnace wherein the additive comprises one or more substances selected from oxidising agents and non-reducing gases.