mining system 1 in the longwall face two separate plough chains 11 a 11 b are placed as traction means both plough chains 11 a 11 b consisting of horizontal and vertical chain links and being configured as continuous revolving chains the traction strand of each of both plough chains 11 a 11 b runs within the slide surface or channel surface of the pans 3 whilst the return strand of both plough chains 11 a 11 b runs on the offset side of the pan 3 preferably in the represented tubular guides 6 a 6 b which form chain channels and is returned to the evacuation section the plough chain wheels driven by means of suitable drive mechanisms for moving the mining plough 10 to and fro in the longwall face by means of the plough chains are preferably disposed exclusively in the so called head section at the upper end of the longwall face whilst the evacuation section which because of the steeply stratified coal seam lies considerably lower down contains only deflection pulleys for the two plough chains 11 a 11 b fig1 and 2 already clearly show that the mining plough 10 has only a relatively small thickness and depth and is substantially wider than it is thick both guide bars 7.