Exhibit 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No.33-32174) of Homestake Mining Company of our report dated June 25, 2001 relating to the financial statements of Homestake 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, which appears in this Form 11-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP - --------------------------------------- PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP June 25, 2001