A method of steering a double-ended ranging drum type mining machine. The method includes the steps of positioning a first current cut follower at or substantially adjacent the center of the machine. A second previous cut follower is positioned at or substantially adjacent the center of the machine. A tilt measurer determines machine tilt and an estimator estimates mineral thickness and generates algorithms whereby height differences between a current and a previous cut roof can be calculated to control and steer the leading cutting drum; the algorithms are generated in such a manner that cumulative errors along or towards a mine face are minimized or eliminated.
