Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotary mining apparatus. The apparatus includes an elongated housing with a leading end and an opposite trailing end. The apparatus also includes a compression device coupled to the housing. The apparatus further includes a plurality of cables extending along the housing. Each of the cables has an end connected to the compression device. The apparatus also includes a plurality of cutting devices attached to the cables at ends of the cables opposite the ends connected to the compression device. The present invention is also directed to a method of removing subterranean material. The method includes the step of inserting a rotary mining device having radially extendable cutting devices into a subterranean shaft. The method also includes the steps of rotating the mining device such that the cutting devices contact the sides of the shaft and extending the cutting devices into the sides of the shaft.