Method of producing hot briquettes

A method of producing hot briquettes in a plurality of stages comprises heating inert components which do not soften by direct heat exchange with hot carrier gases which are generated in a combustor to a temperature of about from 550 DEG to 700 DEG C. Thereafter the heated inert components and the gases are directed to a first separator to separate the carrier gases from the heated inert components. A caking bituminous binder coal component is then preheated and dried to temperatures of either 60 DEG over or under 300 DEG C. with the separated carrier gas. The binder coal and the separated carrier gas is then directed to a second separator to provide a second separated carrier gas and the heated binder coal. The second heated carrier gas is directed into a third separator in direct heat exchange with a second inert component which is then heated by this to a temperature of from 350 DEG to 600 DEG C. The second inert component is then separated from the second separator carrier gas and directed back for heat exchange with the hot carrier gases in the first separator, both the inert components which are separated and the binder coal are then directed into a mixer for premixing and then subsequently into a roll press for forming them into briquettes.