An across-the-pit system (XPS) comprised of a BWE and stacker has been operating successfully in a Hungarian mine. The use of stackers with 225 m long booms and draglines with 125 m booms and 125 m**3 buckets in Soviet mines could be of value to some Canadian strip mines, in particular the equipment proven useful in severe climatic conditions. To follow up on this information a field trip to Hungary and the U. S. S. R. was organized.