A process is indicated for producing pig iron or liquid steel precursors in a melting unit (1), in particular a melt-down gasifier, wherein feedstocks containing iron ore and optionally additives are at least in part reduced by means of a reduction gas in at least one reduction unit (R1, R2, R3, R4). According to the invention a first fraction of the at least in part reduced feedstocks is melted in the melting unit (1) with feed of carbon sources and oxygen-containing gas with simultaneous formation of the reduction gas. The reduction gas is fed to the reduction unit (R1, R2, R3, R4) and, after passage through this, is taken off as top gas, wherein a second fraction of the at least in part reduced feedstocks is fed to a melt reduction unit (15) for reduction and melting.