EXHIBIT 23






                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  in the  following  Registration
Statements of Homestake Mining Company:  Post-Effective  Amendment No . 3 to No.
2-90905 on Form S-8  (originally  filed on Form S-3); No.  33-26049 on Form S-8;
No. 2-66538 on Form S-8; Post-Effective  Amendment No. 1 to No. 33-48526 on Form
S-8 (originally  files on Form S-4); No. 333-17357 on Form S-8; No. 333-17359 on
Form S-8; and No.  333-24711  on Form S-3 of our report dated  February 9, 1998,
appearing on Form 10-K of Homestake  Mining  Company for the year ended December
31, 1997.



/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
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Coopers & Lybrand
San Francisco, California
March 27, 1998