The invention relates to a belt conveyor which comprises a conveyor belt (20) that is guided around at least one return shaft (30), thereby forming an upper run and a lower run, and a drive device for moving the conveyor belt (20), characterized in that the drive device is preferably arranged in a separate manner from the return shaft (30) and drives the conveyor belt (20) in the area of a deflection between upper run and lower run. The drive device preferably comprises a toothed belt (40) or V-belt arranged at an edge section of the conveyor belt (20) and a rotationally drivable toothed wheel (60) or a V-belt disk. The toothed belt (40) or V-belt is connected or connectable, preferably in a releasable manner, to the conveyor belt (20).