EXHIBIT 23

       CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the:

1.  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 2-76789) pertaining
    to the Reynolds Metals Company 1982 Nonqualified Stock
    Option Plan;

2.  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-13822) pertaining
    to the Reynolds Metals Company 1987 Nonqualified Stock
    Option Plan;

3.  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-44400) pertaining
    to the Reynolds Metals Company 1992 Nonqualified Stock
    Option Plan;

4.  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-20498) pertaining
    to the Reynolds Metals Company Savings and Investment
    Plan for Salaried Employees;

5.  Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-43443) pertaining
    to the shelf registration of debt securities of Reynolds
    Metals Company;

6.  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-66032) pertaining
    to the Reynolds Metals Company Savings Plan for Hourly
    Employees;

7.  Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-51153) pertaining
    to the offer and resale of shares of Reynolds Metals
    Company Common Stock by the Trustee of the Reynolds
    Metals Company Pension Plans Master Trust;

8.  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-53847) pertaining
    to the Employees Savings Plan;

9.  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-53851) pertaining
    to the Reynolds Metals Company Restricted Stock Plan for
    Outside Directors;

10. Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-59168) pertaining
    to the registration of debt securities of Reynolds
    Aluminum Company of Canada, Ltd. (formerly known as
    Canadian Reynolds Metals Company Limited);

11. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-00929)
    pertaining to the Reynolds Metals Company Performance
    Incentive Plan,

12. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-03947)
    pertaining to the Reynolds Metals Company 1996
    Nonqualified Stock Option Plan;

and in the related prospectuses of our report dated February 21,
1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Reynolds Metals Company included in this Annual Report (Form 10-
K) for the year ended December 31, 1996.

Ernst & Young LLP

Richmond, Virginia
March 18, 1997