Exhibit 23.1


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We consent to the incorporation by reference (i) in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-16648) pertaining to the Birmingham Steel Corporation
1986 Stock Option Plan; (ii) in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.
33-23563) pertaining to the Birmingham Steel Corporation 401(k) Plan; (iii) in
the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-30848) pertaining to the Birmingham
Steel Corporation 1989 Non-Union Stock Option Plan; (iv) in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-41595) pertaining to the Birmingham Steel Corporation
1990 Management Incentive Plan; (v) in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.
33-51080) pertaining to the Birmingham Steel Corporation 1992 Non-Union
Employee's Stock Option Plan; (vi) in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.
33-64069) pertaining to the Birmingham Steel Corporation 1995 Stock Accumulation
Plan; (vii) in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-34291) pertaining to
the Birmingham Steel Corporation 1996 Director Stock Option Plan; and (viii) in
the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-46771) pertaining to the Birmingham
Steel Corporation 1997 Management Incentive Plan; (ix) in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-90365) pertaining to the Birmingham Steel
Corporation 1999 Director Compensation Plan; (x) in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 333-57048) pertaining to Birmingham Steel Corporation 2000
Management Incentive Plan; and (xi) in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.
333-57032) pertaining to the Birmingham Steel Corporation 2000 Director Stock
Option Plan of our report dated August 6, 2001, except for Note 2, as to which
the date is September 17, 2001, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Birmingham Steel Corporation, included in the Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 2001.

                                            /s/  Ernst & Young LLP

Birmingham, Alabama
October 15, 2001