The influence of the melting intensity, which is estimated by the specific blast-furnace productivity, on the stability of its operation is considered. The influence of the melting intensity on the recovery conditions of wustite in the zone of indirect reduction is studied. It is shown that at higher melting intensity, the effect of change in the melting intensity on the change in the CO use degree is manifested to a lesser degree. The increase in the stability of the processes in the wustite reduc- tion zone is accompanied by decrease in the composition of the smelting products. This is confirmed by production data.