You can do fine in Rascal a good durable armor.
Avoid areas where mobs detect you from long range.
Or do your mining near water areas.
For weapon of choice its good with a mk2.
OR a close up weapon thats highly underated such as ep-40, even
an axe could be good.
But allround I think ep-40, mk2, an axe and Rascal armor is the best starting gear and will last for at least some months of gaming until you get more into the game. Fit the Rascal with better and better armor plates and you will be able to take on rather freaked out mobs. Also get yourself a FAP-35, or FAP-80. Make wonders out on the field.
If you are going into more "hot" areas I would think Vigilante or Nem armor is good. I am using Ghost armor for the most parts. It has low durability but if you have it tip top and repaired it is very very good for its price.
For the complete noob I would go for getting either a goblin or pixie armor and start out my mining outside towns and forts.
Silver