I think it's more of an appeal - visiting and colonizing Mars is more alluring than mining. I think there's benefit to having a base there though, even at the

I think it's more of an appeal - visiting and colonizing Mars is more alluring than mining. I think there's benefit to having a base there though, even at the bottom of a gravity well (1/3 that of Earth so not the same kind of fight). Some pros to having a base on Mars could be families of miners can live "close by" miners (or those that operate and/or maintain the telepresence or self driving mining equipment, and possibly a place to do any sort of processing. Also, there could be mining possibilities on Mars as well, and without all the environmental issues we'd have to consider on Earth. The "all of the eggs in one basket" aspect is certainly one I can get behind, but I think there's monetary gain is probably a more powerful motivator to those that have the most influence.