As mentioned above...You could always find a new node to mine at and come back to that one later.

A good way to clear large and tough enemy groups is to use an entrenchment and arrows. Dig a square trench somewhere not to far away from the group you wanna fight. Make the trench large enough so there is enough space in the center for you to dodge attacks and snipe the hardest stuff with flint and/or fire arrows. Aggro the group and kite them to the trench and do your business. Once you've killed the trouble makers with arrows. Finish off the rest with melee. I started doing this in the plains to clear the villages. Works well to kill large groups with lots of tough enemies like multiple brutes and shamans.

Also make sure to kill off any GreyDwarf spawners in the forrest. Or you're in for trouble trying to mine.