The trophy visited the mine, near West Wyalong in New South Wales, yesterday.
“Today’s event has special significance because, for the first time in the Melbourne Cup’s 150-year history, the trophy itself uses gold that has been mined, refined and crafted wholly in Australia and NSW in particular,” NSW Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts said.
The gold was refined at ABC Bullion’s refinery in Sydney.
The Melbourne Cup trophy is made from 18 carat gold, weighs 1.65kg and is valued at $A175,000.
The cup contains 44 pieces that are hand-spun over a 250-hour production process.
“Evolution is proud to be involved in producing the 2016 Melbourne Cup and we would like to thank the Bland Shire Council and the Victoria Racing Club for bringing this event to West Wyalong and giving us the opportunity to share this historic cup with our employees and the whole community,” Evolution executive chairman Jake Klein said.
Evolution’s Cowal Gold Operation employs 257 people and contributed more than $10 million to the Bland Shire economy through local procurement in 2015.
Cowal is NSW’s second-largest gold mine after Newcrest Mining’s Cadia operation.
The "race that stops a nation" will be run on November 1.
