Abstract: A mineral mining installation for winning material in a "stable-hole" region of a longwall face comprises a guide and a base slidably mounted on the guide. At least one tool carrier is pivotally mounted on the base and drive means are provided for reciprocating the base along the guide. Control means are provided for pivoting each carrier between an operating position and a non-operating position, the control means being such that a working stroke of the drive means initially pivots each carrier from its non-operating position to its operating position and then causes the base and carrier(s) to execute a working stroke along the guide. The control means is also such that a return stroke of the drive means initially causes each carrier to pivot from its operating position to its non-operating position, and then causes the base and carrier(s) to execute a return stroke along the guide.