To provide an operating method of a melting furnace capable of performing an operation of low reduction material ratio without changing a charging method controlled to optimize reaction efficiency and without changing equipment significantly fluctuating costs and production.

A thickness of attachment formed on a furnace wall section in the melting furnace is adjusted by controlling a temperature of cooling water supplied from a cooling water supply system to a stave within a prescribed range by using the stave composed of a shell disposed on a peripheral edge section of the melting furnace and a cooling mechanism disposed inside of the shell, and a stave cooling system having the cooling water supply system for supplying the cooling water to the stave and a cooling water discharging system for discharging the cooling water passing inside of the stave. An upper limit of a water temperature of the cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply system to the stave is preferably determined so that a temperature of the cooling water discharged from the stave to the stave cooling water discharging system reaches a prescribed temperature or lower.

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