A system for providing thermal and chemical energies for the production of pelletized iron ore concentrates while allowing a reduction of a portion of the material in process. The material in process is introduced as ore fines, pelletized and fired in an indurator to produce feedstock for reduction by further processing. A portion of the material in process is diverted to a reduction plant. The reduction plant provides thermal and chemical energies for the indurator. In a preferred embodiment, a low temperature plasma generator is employed, either as the reduction plant or to provide thermal and chemical energies for reduction. When a distinct reduction plant is employed, top gases from such plant may be supplied to the indurator to provide thermal and chemical energies therefor and to the plasma generator for recarburization thereof. The material in process may be diverted as ore fines or as fired or unfired pelletized ore concentrates.