Having become an official supplier of Rio 2016, the Government-owned company will produce 4,924 award medals and 75,000 participation medals for the first edition of the Games to be staged in South America.

"The medals are one of the most important symbols of the Games and we are very pleased that we can count on the Brazilian Mint as our partner in this unique moment in the history of Brazilian sport," said Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman.

Made of gold, silver and bronze, the award medals will also include metal derived from items ranging from household appliances, like fridges and microwaves, to IT equipment, such as personal computers and mobile telephones, illustrating Rio 2016's commitment to sustainability, officials claimed. 

Dealing with electronic waste is a major issue for many countries but now discarded items in Brazil, like computers, could end up as part of gold medals at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

Conceived by the Rio 2016 design team, the medals will be developed by designers at the Brazilian Mint, which was established in 1694.

The headquarters and industrial facilities of the Brazilian Mint currently occupy a 110,000 square metres modern plant in Rio de Janeiro's western suburb of Santa Cruz.

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro is a very special event and we could not stay out of it," said Brazilian Mint President Francisco Franco.

"We hope most of these medals will be won by Brazilian competitors."

The Brazilian Mint also produced the award medals for the 2011 Military World Games and 2007 Pan-American Games, both held in Rio de Janeiro.

For Rio 2016, it will produce the medals, medal ribbons, award diplomas, certificates of authenticity, participation and commemorative certificates, as well as the commemorative medals, which are special collectors' items.

Each London 2012 medal took the Royal Mint in South Wales 10 hours to make ©Royal Mint

The Royal Mint in Britain performed a similar role for London 2012.