Distinctive feature of combustion of gaseous fuel in shaft furnaces is participation of this process in formation of a zone of high temperatures. In this zone the heated pieces of furnace charge providing development of process of generation of thermal energy at the set depth and extent of the dense blown bed of lumpy materials are concentrated. At the same time direct contact of external borders of a zone of high temperatures and the environment is limited and also reliability and efficiency of use of such way of obtaining thermal energy for operation of shaft furnaces increases. Giving of air blasting via tuyeres and coaxial jet blowing in it natural gas is supplied in the shaft furnace under elevated pressure in the blown layer of lumpy materials warmed up to the temperature 800-1050 oC. Formation of the general flare of a high-temperature zone of burning with distribution of process of burning of gas in the direction of the movement of air-gas mix on distance to 2.0 m results. Temperature level of a zone of burning and the nature of its development in a layer decides by heat exchange conditions in a zone of heating of natural gas and air generally heat conductivity on border on a firm surface of the processed layer, intensity of heat release from oxidation of hydrocarbons directly in a zone of burning and development of a convective stream of flue gases.