Support for the favourite gold bug conspiracy theory – that a cabal of western central bankers is secretly determined to manipulate the world’s markets by rigging gold prices – has come from an unexpected quarter.

Alacer Gold (TSE:ASR) reports no injuries or damage occurred at the Çöpler Gold Project after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the southern part of Turkey. Over 200 people are confirmed dead with hundreds of more casualties expected. Structural damage near the earthquake is extensive. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the epicenter was in the village of Tabani, about 410 kilometers southeast of Çöpler.

Molycorp (NYSE:MCP), the only rare earth producer in the Western hemisphere, announced on Thursday that it plans to spend $114 million to accelerate by three months the start-up of its rare earth processing facility. Molycorp's stock slid on Thursday after the news. After hitting a high of $40.45 on Wednesday, the stock dropped as low as $36.59 before recovering to close at just under $38. The company's estimated 2012 production will rise by 3,500 metric tons to between 8,000 and 10,000 metric tons annually. The new spending will help the company achieve full phase one production of 19,050 metric tons per year of rare earth oxide equivalent three months earlier than previously planned.

Helicon Group, an Australian medical company, will spend $3 million to develop a cancer therapy that relies on magnets and iron ore. Nanoparticles of iron ore are injected into a tumour while a magnet is used to heat the tumour and destroy it. Fabio Pannuti, Helicon Group's chief executive, said the treatment is still in its early stages.

Boss Power (CVE:BPU), which successfully settled a lawsuit on Thursday with the Province of British Columbia, is now looking at ways to spend […]

In the race to make electric cars a viable alternative to internal combustion engines, Nissan announced that it had developed technology to charge a car in 10-minutes. The time it takes to charge a car is seen as a major hurdle to widespread acceptance of electric cars. With the current technology, it can take several hours to recharge an electric car. Kansai University in Japan is credited with inventing the technology.

Since gold has slid nearly 20% since hitting a high of $1,900 in September, maybe the precious metal can get a lift from some "magical necklaces" worn by baseball players. Necklaces that contain gold and titanium are starting to catch on with professional athletes who believe wearing them can help improve their performance. Phiten markets the necklaces, as well as wrist bands, athlete's tape and other products. The company started in Japan whose founder, Yoshihiro Hirata, was seeking ways to alleviate chronic pain. The company says that metals like gold and titanium are broken down into microscopic particles dispersed in water and then added to its materials.

National Geographic News reports that Bellingham has in the past been lauded for becoming one of the few cities in the US to rely solely on solar and hydro-generated electricity, its innovative building efficiency program, and the "buy local" ethos of its bustling farmers' markets. But now the US coal industry has its eye on it.

It is vital for the South African government to step up and take a bigger stake in the mining industry, a top economic advisor told those attending a Mining for Change conference in Johannesburg on Friday. The comments come one week ahead of so-called Economic Freedom Youth Mass Action marches on the Chamber of Mines and stock exchange organized by Julius Malema (pictured), populist leader of the influential youth wing of the ruling African National Congress with the support of the 260,000 member Metalworkers Union. Malema recently told crowds that the nationalization debate within the ANC is a question of how not if, and an August industry-led investigation said the ruling party is closest to seizing mines since the end of white rule in 1994.