Why are miners paid such low salaries?

I'm afraid that dirty, dangerous work does not always bring the recognition it deserves via handsome payment. Most prefer a cleaner, safer job and it may be a sign of desperation rather than choice that leads men to subject themselves to a lifetime mining rock.

If employers can manage to get workers to carry out the work at a low payment, then this will carry on. But this is a comment about supply and demand that applies to all employment. If workers are hard to obtain, or their training is long, their resulting pay will be higher.