EXHIBIT 23(a)

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

      We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 20, 1998 appearing on page 51
of Battle Mountain Gold Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in such Registration Statement.


                                          /s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
                                          PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
                                          Houston, Texas
                                          May 21, 1998