Consent of Independent Auditors Exhibit 23 The Board of Directors The Pittston Company: We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 2-64258, 33-2039, 33-21393, 33-23333, 33-69040, 33-53565 and 333-02219) on Form S-8 of The Pittston Company of our reports dated January 27, 1999 (except as to note 22 for The Pittston Company and as to note 23 for Pittston Minerals Group, which are as of March 15, 1999) relating to the financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Financial Statements in Item 14(a)1 included in the 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Pittston Company which reports appear in the 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Pittston Company. Our reports relating to the financial statements of Pittston Brink's Group, Pittston BAX Group and Pittston Minerals Group contain an explanatory paragraph that states that the financial statements of Pittston Brink's Group, Pittston BAX Group and Pittston Minerals Group should be read in connection with the audited consolidated financial statements of The Pittston Company and subsidiaries. Our report relating to the consolidated financial statements of The Pittston Company and subsidiaries refers to changes in the method of accounting for costs of computer software developed for internal use and derivative instruments and hedging activities in 1998 and impairment of long-lived assets in 1996. Our report relating to the financial statements of Pittston BAX Group refers to changes in the method of accounting for costs of computer software developed for internal use and derivative instruments and hedging activities in 1998. Our report relating to the financial statements of Pittston Minerals Group refers to changes in the method of accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities in 1998 and impairment of long-lived assets in 1996. KPMG LLP Richmond, Virginia March 23, 1999