A long run conveyor system is disclosed in which at least a portion thereof traverses a slope sufficiently steep so that tensile force associated with overcoming the effects of the slope is greater per unit length than tensile force per unit length of run due to main frictional resistance of the conveyor system. The long run conveyor system includes an external belt defining a continuous loop traversing an entire route of the conveyor system and is configured to transport material load across the entire route. The conveyor system also includes an internal belt positioned inside the continuous loop of the external belt, which also traverses substantially the entire route. An upper side of the internal belt operably engages an underside of the external belt. The internal and external belts are configured such that each respectively carries an approximately equal amount of belt tension.