The present invention pertains to a method for monitoring operation of a mining machine unit, particularly of a longwall mining system, having a shield unit connected to a material removing unit by means of an actuator for adjusting a distance between the shield unit and the material removing unit, the method comprises the steps of determining a position change of the shield unit during an actuating operation of the actuator; and a step of detecting a malfunction of the mining machine unit based on the determined position change.

The present invention pertains to a method for monitoring operation of a mining machine unit, particularly of a longwall mining system, having a shield unit connected to a material removing unit by means of an actuator for adjusting a distance between the shield unit and the material removing unit, the method comprises the steps of determining a position change of the shield unit during an actuating operation of the actuator; and a step of detecting a malfunction of the mining machine unit based on the determined position change.

A method of controlling a longwall mining system, the longwall mining system including a longwall shearer, a conveyor, and a plurality of roof supports, such that the method includes creating, by a controller, a load profile of the conveyor representing a distribution of mineral along a length of the conveyor, calculating, by the controller, a desired change in the load profile based on the load profile of the conveyor, and controlling, by the controller, the longwall mining system to adjust the distribution of mineral on the conveyor based on the desired change in load profile.

A method of controlling a longwall mining system, the longwall mining system including a longwall shearer, a conveyor, and a plurality of roof supports, such that the method includes creating, by a controller, a load profile of the conveyor representing a distribution of mineral along a length of the conveyor, calculating, by the controller, a desired change in the load profile based on the load profile of the conveyor, and controlling, by the controller, the longwall mining system to adjust the distribution of mineral on the conveyor based on the desired change in load profile.

A method of controlling a longwall mining system, the longwall mining system including a longwall shearer, a conveyor, and a plurality of roof supports, such that the method includes creating, by a controller, a load profile of the conveyor representing a distribution of mineral along a length of the conveyor, calculating, by the controller, a desired change in the load profile based on the load profile of the conveyor, and controlling, by the controller, the longwall mining system to adjust the distribution of mineral on the conveyor based on the desired change in load profile.