Crossword Genius

Not mad about soldier on road leading to place of hard labour synonymous with one of the seasons

Ross

I believe the answer is:

salt mine

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'place of hard labour synonymous with one of the seasons' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'not mad about soldier on road' is the wordplay.
'not mad' becomes 'sane' (I've seen this before).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'soldier' becomes 'lt' (**).
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'road' becomes 'mi'.
'lt'+'mi'='ltmi'
'sane' going around 'ltmi' is 'SALT-MINE'.

'leading to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for salt mine that I've seen before include "Deep pit containing a white substance" , "Excavation" , "Source of flavouring" , "Ailments (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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