A process and an arrangement for the production of molten pig iron or steel pre-products from particulate ferrous material as well as for the production of reducing gas in a meltdown gasifier. A fluidized bed of coke particles is formed by the addition of coal and the injection of oxygen-containing gas. In order to ensure a satisfactory mode of operation of the meltdown gasifier even if coal of inferior quality with a high moisture content and a high portion of volatile matter is used, additional heat is supplied to the meltdown gasifier above the feed lines for the fluidized-bed-forming oxygen-containing gas by burning and/or degassing coal particles separated from the reducing gas.