Gold posted gains on Friday on concerns that interest-rate cuts in the U.S. will increase demand for the metal as an alternative to the dollar.

The U.S. dollar posted declines yesterday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the bank may further reduce the interest rates.

Gold for immediate delivery increased by $2.16, or 0.2 percent, to $910.37 an ounce in London but the prices have declined by 1.4 percent this week.

New York gold futures increased by $2.50 to $913.30 an ounce.

Platinum posted high gains in London after Anglo Platinum Ltd said it shut its Polokwane smelter in South Africa and may be opened in about six weeks after repair.

Platinum gained $36.75 to $2,047.75 in London after an earlier gain of $2,068.50.

Platinum for December delivery in Japan increased by 3.7 percent, to $1,926 an ounce on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange.

World platinum supplies were forecasted to fall 400,000 ounces short of demand this year due to disruptions of South African mining.

Gold was forecasted to increase to $1,000 by the end of March.

South Africa Ben Bernanke Gold