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From: Richard [mailto:rabrooks@...]

> Mars being closer than most asteroids, would mean that
> it could supply material (even ores) as cheaply as the
> asteroid belt.

The expense is not an issue of proximity, it's primarily an issue of
delta-V. From a delta-V point of view, the surface of Mars is "further
away" because it's at the bottom of a relatively steep gravity well.

And in any case, when it comes to asteroid mining, we will certainly
start with the NEOs. I doubt that anyone will start mining in the
Asteroid Belt prior to a decision to live there permanently.

Regards,

Mike Combs