The country's biggest gold producer turned over a P1 billion check to the government…to settle in full one of the penalties it was slapped for its Padcal mine tailings pond leak…over violations against the Mining Act…[The Mines and Geosciences Bureau director] said the fund can be used for claims or compensation and rehabilitation costs of areas affected by tailings…“We believe it was a result of the elements of nature—an event of force majeure,”...[Philex] maintained...The tailings pond leak at Philex's only operating mine in Padcal, Benguet spilled 20.69 million metric tons of mine waste into adjacent water systems, including the Balog Creek, which is adjacent to the Agno River, a key livelihood and hydropower source in central Luzon.