In a process and apparatus for the reduction of metal oxides to form metalized material by contact with hot reducing gas, which is produced at least partially by catalytic reformation of a mixture of—a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or steam (H2O) with—gaseous hydrocarbons, the fuel gas for burners which provide the heat for the endothermal reformation processes which take place during the reformation is obtained at least partially from a partial quantity of the top gas produced during the reduction of metal oxides to form metalized material, wherein this partial quantity of the top gas, before it is used as a component of the fuel gas, is firstly subjected to dedusting and then to a CO conversion reaction, and the conversion gas obtained during the CO conversion reaction is subjected to CO2 removal after cooling.