Methods and system for automatically operating a continuous mining machine. One method includes automatically operating at least one actuator to position a platform supporting a cutterhead at a predetermined starting position, automatically operating the at least one actuator to advance the platform toward a cutting face until the cutterhead contacts the cutting face and at least one indicator of a physical force between the cutterhead and the cutting face exceeds a predetermined value, and automatically saving at least one coordinate of the cutting face to a computer-readable medium, the at least one coordinate based on a parameter of the at least one actuator when the indicator exceeds the predetermined value.