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SINGAPORE, Oct 4 (Reuters) Gold extended losses on Wednesday after crude oil dropped below $59 a barrel as dealers forecast more builds in U.S. distillate and gasoline stocks.

-- Spot gold slipped to $575.20/576.20 an ounce from $576.50/577.50 an ounce late in New York on Tuesday, when it had tumbled more than 3 percent.

-- Investec Australia pegged support at $573 an ounce.

-- Key gold futures on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange fell by the daily 60-yen limit to 2,216 yen ($18.79) a gram on heavy liquidation as sharp falls in oil reduced the metal's appeal as a hedge against inflation.

-- Silver hit a two-week low of $10.74 an ounce, down from $10.93/11.00 late in New York.

-- Platinum tumbled to its lowest level in nearly four months at $1,106 an ounce. It was last quoted at $1,118/1,123 in New York.

-- Palladium fell to its lowest in nearly three weeks at $295 an ounce, down from $300/305 late in New York.

Precious Metals Prices by 0321 GMT* Metal Last Net change Pct Move Gold 576.00 2.20 +0.38 Platinum 1106.00 -9.00 -0.81 Palladium 295.00 -5.00 -1.67 Silver 10.82 0.04 +0.37 Change so far in 2006 Metal Latest bid End prev year Pct Move Gold 576.00 517.20 +11.37 Platinum 1106.00 968.00 +14.26 Palladium 295.00 254.00 +16.14 Silver 10.82 8.81 +22.81 * The closing prices used to calculate the net change may differ from New York's last quoted prices.

($1=117.91 yen) Reuters SBA VP0725