The Penrice soda ash factory in Osborne was closed in 2014 when the company went into liquidation.
The factory processed soda ash and sodium bicarbonate for over 80 years and generated waste byproducts that included calcium chloride, ammonia, and insoluble residues, which were pumped into the Port River.
The Government of South Australia also allowed Penrice’s white calcite to form waste piles on Government land, on both sides of the River.
Since no use has been found for the calcite, it is proposed that the State Government offer a significant prize for a cost effective solution to allow the land to be remediated for environmental restoration.