Exhibit (b)


                                CERTIFICATIONS


                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
                       AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Galen G. Vetter, Chief Executive Officer of the FRANKLIN GOLD AND PRECIOUS
METALS FUND (the "Registrant"), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my
knowledge:

1.   The periodic  report on Form N-CSR of the  Registrant  for the period ended
     1/31/2008  (the "Form  N-CSR")  fully  complies  with the  requirements  of
     Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.   The  information  contained  in the  Form  N-CSR  fairly  presents,  in all
     material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
     Registrant.

Dated:  03/27/08

                            /s/ GALEN G. VETTER

                            Galen G. Vetter
                            Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration














                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
                       AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Laura F. Fergerson, Chief Financial Officer of the FRANKLIN GOLD AND PRECIOUS
METALS FUND (the "Registrant"), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my
knowledge:

1.   The periodic  report on Form N-CSR of the  Registrant  for the period ended
     1/31/2008  (the "Form  N-CSR")  fully  complies  with the  requirements  of
     Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.   The  information  contained  in the  Form  N-CSR  fairly  presents,  in all
     material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
     Registrant.

Dated:  03/27/08

                            /s/ LAURA F. FERGERSON

                            Laura F. Fergerson
                            Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer