Crossword Genius

They discern thoughts of fear stopping workers going underground (4,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mind readers

'they discern thoughts' is the definition.
(people who can read others' thoughts)

'fear stopping workers going underground' is the wordplay.
'fear' becomes 'dread' (dread is a kind of fear).
'stopping' is an insertion indicator (stopping can mean blocking a gap).
'workers going underground' becomes 'miners' (people who work underground).
'dread' put within 'miners' is 'MIND-READERS'.

'of' acts as a link.

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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