I would have to disagree when you say only veterans can build the base as it is now... Anyone can really do it and I have seen examples of new guys doing a good just with making and holding a base up...
But maybe you mean you dont wish to always be needing the attention to have the base up? Yea that requires work to accomplish sadly... A core 5 takes no RA and more work is required to have FWO done for you to not worry about it...
The mining stuff... I can see the smelter being cool but not the base itself mining... People have a hard time as it is with balancing a base in a mining feild. As much as I like the base making money by itself... I wouldn't want to see it happen.