For some reason, I now have Steely Dan/Donald Fagan's "New Frontier" stuck in my head. :)
The only possible argument I see against this at first blush is that the mine settlers would-- unless serious security measures were taken to isolate the company, er, settlement-- always have it in the backs of their heads that they could choose to leave, unlike a real space colony. I have no idea psychologically whether that would be worse (never really settling in) or better (if I can leave anytime I want, I don't have to panic).
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The only possible argument I see against this at first blush is that the mine settlers would-- unless serious security measures were taken to isolate the company, er, settlement-- always have it in the backs of their heads that they could choose to leave, unlike a real space colony. I have no idea psychologically whether that would be worse (never really settling in) or better (if I can leave anytime I want, I don't have to panic).