A guide for a mining machine, such as a plough, is constructed from a series of interconnected sections arranged end-to-end and secured with bolts to the mineral face side wall of a conveyor. Each guide section is composed of an L-shaped plate with an upstanding wall engaging on the conveyor side wall and an inclined foot wall supporting the body of the plough. Spacers locating the securing bolts separate upper and lower chain guide passages and a cover plate extends over the mineral face side of the passages. A slot is formed above the foot wall to allow the plough body to be coupled to the chain in the lower passage. The slot is defined at its upper side by channel-like strips assembled to the spacers and these strips have apertures which receive tongues on the cover plate to thereby form a detachable push-in hinge permitting the cover plate to pivot towards the mineral face. The cover plate is detachably secured to the L-shaped plate at its upper end.