1
                                                                    Exhibit 23.2


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 (No. 333-74437) 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
   
April 7, 1999