Although not optimal in respect of resource utilization, efficiency, flexibility and safety, the bord-and-pillar and longwall methods have, over time, become an industry standard. Magatar and its management developed the LCM methodology to achieve radical optimization of the mining process.

As with the "bord-and-pillar" method, underground mining is effected through a "continuous miner" process. The LCM Methodology works on the basis that the traditional ("tried and trusted") equipment and machinery be retained, but that such equipment and machinery are assembled, operated and sequenced in a different way, allowing the system utilization to be improved from current levels (in respect of bord-and-pillar) of around 30% to above 60%. This has been verified by SRK Consultants, a major mining consultancy company.