Im a diesel fitter and ive worked on mines before,the best way to get into mine work with no experience is to do shutdowns with labourhire companies, ie skilled engineering etc.
I have worked with people who went straight from being taxi drivers to t/a.
Unfortunately most of my mine work was done as an apprentice on crap wages so i never really saw the benefits and now cant bare the thought of 12 hour days with alcohol as your only friend and an empty donger to look forward to
I think the hardest part of the mine lifestyle is staying out of the wet mess and alot get nowhere because of it.