Agglomerates for use in a blast furnace containing a cementitious material and formulated to maintain the CaO to SiO.sub.2 ratio in a range of from 1.2 to 1.9 and the slag forming ratio in a range of from 13 to 19% which when charged in a blast furnace assume an improved drafting aspect in the smelting reaction zone. The as-formed discrete moist agglomerates are to be cured without the necessity of a powder matrix prior to introduction to the furnace, whereby an adequate crushing strength is imparted to the agglomerate product to reduce handling difficulties resulting from the production of fines.