PURPOSE: To obtain high purity metallic Cr by sintering and molding metallic Cr into an electrode having a through hole and by melting lump Cr in a furnace with arc while introducing an inert gas from the hole to efficiently melt the Cr.

CONSTITUTION: A sintered molded body having a through hole in the direction of the major axial line is manufactured using powdered metallic Cr. This molded body is used as an electrode, a terminal connected to a power source is attached to the electrode, and arc is generated between lump Cr and the tip of the electrode to melt and refine the Cr. At this time, the arc melting is carried out while introducing an inert gas or a gaseous mixture of the inert gas with a reducing gas from the hole of the electrode. By this method the high m.p. metallic Cr can be melted efficiently, and a high purity metallic Cr ingot usable as a superior starting material for an alloy is obtd.