Abstract: A mineral mining machine suitable for working shortwall faces is provided with a pivotted cutter member including a guideway for a cutter chain carrying picks and paddle devices for scooping debris. The guideway is divided at or about its mid point into two parts which are interconnected by guide means and actuating rams. The guide means are in the form of bars slidably engaged by runners attached to the guideway. Operation of the actuating means can effect tensioning of the cutter chain. The base of the machine has two interchangeable sections facilitating a change of hand when this is desired, the disposition of the chain tensioning arrangement in the middle of the guideway being of advantage in this connection.