Exhibit 23




                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 5
to the Registration  Statement of Homestake Mining Company on Form S-8 (File No.
33-32174)  of our report  dated June 20,  1996,  on our audits of the  financial
statements and financial  statement  schedules of the Homestake  Mining Company
Retirement Savings Plan for Hourly Employees at Lead as of December 31, 1995 and
1994, and for the year ended December 31, 1995, which report is included in this
Annual Report on Form 11-K.


/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L. P.
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COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


San Francisco, California
June 24, 1996