EXHIBIT 99(a)


                [COEUR D'ALENE MINES CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE]


              Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation Sells $125,000,000
            of 7 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due 2005


     Coeur  d'Alene,  Idaho . .  .October  8, 1997 . . . Coeur  d'Alene  Mines
Corporation  (NYSE:  CDE) announced today the sale of  $125,000,000  principal
amount of Coeur d'Alene  Mines  Corporation  7 1/4%  Convertible  Subordinated
Debentures Due 2005. The Debentures are  convertible  into Coeur d'Alene Mines
Corporation  common  stock at a  conversion  price of $17.45  per  share.  The
Debentures  have not been  registered  under  the  Securities  Act,  are being
offered only to  "qualified  institutional  buyers" in reliance upon Rule 144A
and in  offshore  transactions  in  accordance  with  Regulation  S under  the
Securities  Act and may not be  offered or sold in the  United  States  absent
registration  under or the  availability of an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act.

     Coeur  d'Alene  Mines  Corporation  is an  international  silver and gold
producer  engaged in the  development  and operation of silver and gold mining
properties located in the western United States, Western Australia,  Chile and
New Zealand.  Coeur also engages in  significant  silver and gold  exploration
activities on properties  located in those  countries as well as in Guyana and
Mexico.