A device for the dislodgement and conveyance of mineral material

A device for the dislodgement and conveyance of stratified mineral material, e.g. coal, across a face - having a conveyor loop (1) with lengths (2) of conveyor troughing arrayed along the floor, an extraction loop (3) with lengths (4) of extraction troughing arrayed closer to the working face than the lengths (2) of conveyor troughing, and an endless power- driven traction chain (7) passing round two return stations (5, 6), to which chain (7) are attached extraction members (8) and optional transport members. The device has a transfer appliance for the mineral material dislodged and conveyed along the conveyor loop (1) which is connectable to a roadway conveyor (11). The return station (5) is assembled without driving means, i.e. as an idling sprocket wheel (12) for the traction chain (7). The transfer appliance is adapted as a floor opening in the idling return station (5). The driving means at the other return station (6) is adapted as a single drive (13).