An improved method for removing proppant from fluid used in an oil and gas well for reuse in future operations. The proppant is separated from the well fluid and transported to a materials collection tank. A crane then transports the materials collection tank onto a processing boat. On the processing boat, the proppant is vacuumed from the materials collection tank to a hopper. The proppant is then discharged from the hopper into a holding tank for treatment and reuse. In a first alternative embodiment, two hoppers are positioned above each other so that the proppant can be added to the upper hopper and then fed by gravity to the lower hopper. A valving arrangement maintains vacuum within the interior of at least one hopper at all times to provide a continuous vacuum operation. A conduit discharges from the lower hopper into the holding tank.