Current control practice is reviewed for agglomeration processes, including pelletising, sintering and induration; and for smelting processes, including blast and reverberatory furnaces, flash smelting, the intensive bath smelting processes together with converting. The importance of sensors for on-line control and the status of mathematical modelling is discussed._x000D_
Future progress in automatic control will require improved component specific sensors and the use of validated mathematical models running in parallel with the process. The possibilities in both these areas are reviewed in light of the trends towards more intensive smelting processes.