A process of producing magnetite with a high purity of greater than 90% magnetite, more typically greater than 98% magnetite, by reducing powdered hematite into magnetite under maximum temperatures of about 700 to 1300.degree. C. against a counter-current of or concurrent with methane or natural gas in a heating device. The amount of methane used to reduce the hematite may be about 0.18 and 1.8 standard cubic feet of methane per pound of hematite. A product of high purity methane produced from the process is also provided, where the magnetite is below 1 .mu.M in diameter and has a magnetic saturation greater than 90.0 emu/g. Corresponding apparatus using an improved feeder system for powdered hematite is provided.