A stacker-reclaimer apparatus for handling bulk material at a storage site includes a central tower having a vertical axis, a stacker boom rotatably mounted to the central tower about the vertical axis thereof, a reclaimer boom rotatably mounted to the central tower about the vertical axis thereof independently of the stacker boom, a conveyor mounted on the reclaimer boom, the conveyor including a conveyor screw, a hoist for hoisting the reclaimer boom from a lower position to an upper position, and a control unit for hoisting the reclaimer boom from the lower position to the upper position simultaneously with rotating the reclaimer boom about the vertical axis of the central tower.