The Bolivian government began exploiting lithium two years ago. The policy is to exploit until the country gets lithium carbonate and then it can bring in partners. The country's scientists are conducting research on how to get lithium carbonate from the mines. The goal is to produce 40 000 tons of lithium per year over three years. There are several countries interested in lithium production including Korea, Japan and China but the policy has already decided that Bolivia must do on its own.