a continuous highwall mining machine includes a frame and a ground engaging loading shovel that is mounted to extend forwardly from the frame . a cutter for winning aggregate material is mounted to the frame so as to extend above and forwardly of the loading shovel . an armless conveyor system conveys aggregate material won from the mineral seam . the armless conveyor system includes twin chains having a forked section at the forwardmost end carried on the loading shovel and an uninterrupted humpless and dipless path extending rearwardly to a discharge end .