Converter process for production of iron

A process for the production of iron from ferrous raw materials in a converter containing an initial iron smelt into which at least fuels, oxygenous gases and ferrous raw materials are introduced during the production phase, the reaction gases being afterburned with oxidizing gases in the gas space of the converter above the smelt and the resulting heat transferred to the iron bath, and a partial amount of iron smelt being tapped after the production phase and a next initial iron smelt remaining in the converter for the next production phase, wherein the weight of the initial iron smelt is between 10 % and 60 % , based on the weigth of the iron smelt present in the converter after the production phase and before the partial amount is tapped, and the ferrous raw materials are fed continuously to the iron smelt through the gas space of the converter during the production phase while at the same time oxygenous gases containing no more than 50 % oxygen are blown continuously onto the surface of the smelt.