Gold Mining in SC

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but would it be worth it for a red hat (with no experience) in VA/WV go work (under contractors) in a gold mine 5 hours away in South Carolina? Suppose to interview tomorrow and leave around next week. Nothing near is hiring at all so could this be the only opportunity for a while until something opens up closer to home? The schedule is 7 days on and 7 off with $18/hr. Contractor said it would put time on the apprentice cert but Idk if that would work where it’s not coal?