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                                                                    Exhibit 23.2


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Form
S-3 and related Prospectus of Sunshine Mining and Refining Company for the
registration of up to 19,000,000 shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 26, 1999, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of Sunshine Mining and Refining
Company included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1998, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




                                              ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Dallas, Texas
March 11, 1999