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                                                                     EXHIBIT 11



                          BATTLE MOUNTAIN GOLD COMPANY
                    COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
               ( in millions, except share and per share amounts)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Three months ended
                                                                             March 31,
                                                                     ------------------------
                                                                        1997          1996
                                                                     ----------    ----------
<S>                                                                  <C>           <C>       
PRIMARY EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings
   Net (loss) income                                                 $     (7.2)   $      5.0
   Deduct dividends on preferred shares                                     1.9           1.9
                                                                     ----------    ----------
   Net (loss) income applicable to common stock                      $     (9.1)   $      3.1
                                                                     ==========    ==========

Shares
   Weighted average number of common shares outstanding                   229.7         229.3
   Assuming exercise of stock options reduced by the number
     of shares which could have been purchased with the
     proceeds from exercise of such options                                --              .5
   Assuming conversion of 6% convertible debentures                        --             4.8
                                                                     ----------    ----------
   Weighted average number of common
     shares outstanding, as adjusted                                      229.7         234.7
                                                                     ==========    ==========

   Primary (loss) earnings per common share                          $     (.04)   $      .01
                                                                     ==========    ==========

FULLY DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (1)
Earnings
   Net (loss) income                                                 $     (7.2)   $      5.0
                                                                     ==========    ==========

Shares
   Weighted average number of common shares outstanding                   229.7         229.3
   Assuming exercise of stock options reduced by the
     number of shares which could have been purchased
     with the proceeds from exercise of such options                         .2            .6
   Assuming conversion of 6% convertible debentures                         4.8           4.8
   Assuming conversion of preferred stock                                  10.9          11.0
                                                                     ----------    ----------
   Weighted average number of common shares outstanding,
     as adjusted                                                          245.6         245.7
                                                                     ==========    ==========

   Net (loss) income per common share
     assuming full dilution                                          $     (.03)   $      .02
                                                                     ==========    ==========

ADDITIONAL PRIMARY COMPUTATION (1)
   Net income (loss) applicable to common stock, as adjusted
     per primary computation above                                   $     (9.1)
                                                                     ========== 

   Weighted average number of shares outstanding, as adjusted
     per primary computation above                                        229.7 
   Anti-dilutive effect of outstanding options (as determined
     by the application of the treasury stock method)                        .1 
   Anti-dilutive effect of conversion of 6% convertible
     debentures                                                             4.8 
                                                                     ---------- 
   Weighted average number of common shares, as adjusted                  234.6 
                                                                     ========== 

      Primary (loss) earnings per share, as adjusted                 $     (.04)
                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>


(1)       These calculations are submitted in accordance with Regulation S-K
          Item 601(b)(11) although it is contrary to paragraphs 30 and 40 of
          APB Opinion No. 15 because it produces an anti-dilutive result.