Remember this: the further north, the more money. The more remote, the more money. The colder it is the more money. . . . . . .If you can suck it up and go weld when the conditions are the worst they can be, you will make a lot of money, period.
Gillette wasn't too big when I was there last. There's an outfit, and I cant remember the name, that services mine equipment. When I worked for them I took a very simple 4g test and they paid close to 30 an hour. 5 on 3 0ff and rotating days and nights. Give them a shout.
In the future keep this in mind: I'm working on the purchase of a DR24 rig to drill coal bed wells just out front of the Spotted Horse bar, in between clearmont and Gillette. We will be working with Desert Mining on the lease, and GDH Roustabouts, and of course Sourdough Welding Inc. If this kicks off like I hope, we will be a complete service outfit, and will need good contract or singlehand welders.