Quality steel production at low cost demands superior quality of hot metal (HM) with low silicon (Si) and sulphur. High silicon is undesirable for its subsequent treatment during steelmaking, making the process costlier and less productive, hence there have been constant efforts to lower the silicon content in HM. Corex is the only commercially established and proven smelting reduction ironmaking technology alterative to conventional blast furnace (BF) ironmaking. While the mechanism of silicon transfer is largely understood in the BF, the Corex process still requires further operational guidance for its control. A statistical analysis of more than one year plant data has been carried out to understand the parameters influencing the silicon content and to provide directions for its prediction and control. Based on the understanding of the parameters affecting the silicon in HM, regression analysis was carried out and equations have been developed to predict the silicon in Corex HM. The present paper discusses the various parameters involved, the regression output for silicon prediction, its validation and its interrelation with operating parameters. The analysis indicates that high fuel rates due to high moisture, poor metallisation, high volatile matter, high slag volume, high coal fines and low production, along with high basicity and alumina in slag lead to high silicon in HM.