CHICAGO, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar weakened.

The most active gold contract for April delivery rose 8.70 U.S. dollars, or 0.47 percent, to close at 1,845.40 dollars per ounce.

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said Wednesday in a conversation with business leaders in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that he is open-minded to raising the interest rate by either 25 or 50 basis points.

Economic data released Wednesday were mixed. The U.S. Commerce Department reported that the outlays for U.S. construction projects fell 0.1 percent in January to 1.826 trillion dollars, after dropping 0.7 percent in December.

The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing index ticked up slightly to 47.7 percent in February, from 47.4 percent in January. This was also similar to analysts' expectations.

Silver for May delivery rose 2.40 cents, or 0.11 percent, to close at 21.095 dollars per ounce. Platinum for April delivery rose 6.30 dollars, or 0.66 percent, to close at 961.80 dollars per ounce.