Exhibit 23
                                                              ---------- 

                       Consent of Independent Accountants

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  registration  statement of
Commonwealth  Industries,  Inc. on Form S-8 (File No.  33-90292)  of our reports
dated June 18, 1997, on our audits of the financial  statements and supplemental
schedules of the Commonwealth Aluminum Corporation  Performance Sharing Plan for
Collectively  Bargained  Employees  and the  Commonwealth  Aluminum  Corporation
Performance  Sharing  Plan for  Salaried  Employees  as of December 31, 1996 and
1995,  and for the years  ended  December  31,  1996 and 1995,  which  report is
incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 11-K.


COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Louisville, Kentucky
June 25, 1997