Related Clues:

• Was in the running
• Struggled
• Mixed it up
• Traded blows
• Sought salt
• Brought to the surface
• Strove
• Searched for gold, in a way
• Excavated
• Got the lead out?
• Went for the gold?
• Used a shaft, say
• Got the lead out
• Dug for coal
• Dug up minerals