Cooperate while extracting ore using this for foot protection (6)
I believe the answer is:
toecap
'cooperate while extracting ore using this' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'foot protection' is the wordplay.
'foot' becomes 'toe' (toeing is a kind of footing).
'protection' becomes 'cap' (cap is a kind of protection).
'toe'+'cap'='TOECAP'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for toecap that I've seen before include "Reinforced part of shoe or boot" , "Front cover of shoe" , "Protective front of boot" , "Reinforced covering at top of shoe" , "piece of footwear" .)