The medals used in the August 2008 Olympic Games will use Chilean gold and copper, the president of BHP Metals Base, Diego Hernandez, said in a Tuesday's statement, quoted in Wednesday's local media.

Hernandez said that the Escondida and Spence mines, in Chile's Antofagasta regions, will supply the metal which will be used for around six thousand gold and bronze medals handed to outstanding athletes in Beijing.

Escondida will supply the ore used in gold medals, while Spence will supply copper cathode ore, used in the bronzes.

BHP's Cannington mine, in the Australian state of Queensland, will produce the silver used in both gold and silver medals.

The China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation, in Shanghai, will produce the medals.

BHP Billiton has more than 38,000 employees, making it the world's largest resources company.