Gold and Silver closed lower in futures market on Thursday after minutes from the Federal Reserve's September policy-setting meeting showed that central-bank officials held off on an interest-rate hike because downside risks had climbed.

Gold futures declined 4.40 dollars or 0.38 percent to close at USD 1,144.30 per troy ounce at the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Silver futures plunged 0.328 dollar or 2.04 percent to close at USD 15.77 per troy ounce at the COMEX.