Abstract: A compaction device is removably connected to a refuse receiver and is positioned on a skid mounted frame which is dragged by a utility vehicle through an underground mine for the collection of waste material collected from the mining operations. The waste material is deposited into a compaction chamber and compacted in the receiver. Where electric power is not accessible for operation of the compaction device, hydraulic power is supplied from the hydraulic power takeoff on the utility vehicle. The receiver filled with compacted waste material is disconnected from the compaction device and lifted from the support frame onto the utility vehicle. The receiver is transported out of the mine for pick-up of the compacted waste material by a commercial waste hauler. By collecting and compacting waste material in the mine, the frequency of hauls of waste material from the mine and the associated costs are substantially reduced.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated compaction device is mounted on a mobile support frame and is dragged by a mine utility vehicle through an underground mine for the collection of waste material generated from the mining operations. The waste material is deposited into a compaction chamber and compacted in a receiver of the compaction device. Hydraulic power is supplied from a hydraulic power takeoff on the utility vehicle to actuate the compaction device to compact the waste material in the receiver. When the receiver is filled with compacted waste material, the mine utility vehicle moves the compaction device to a location in the mine where the compaction device is transported out of the mine for pick-up by a commercial waste hauler. By collecting and compacting waste material in the mine, the frequency of hauls of waste material from the mine and the associated costs are substantially reduced.