> What kind of society would a space-mining industry produce? Would the space-miners keep Earth values and structures? Would they need a government at all? What functions would a government serve?

Slow down Gonzales! What are "Earth Values"? We don't have a single set of values on Earth - some people can't yet decide that beating women and noncing kids is a bad idea. And you want some space miners to adopt some "Earth Values"?

I was tempted to treat this question seriously and write about the legal and social structures that might develop but then I realized that this question seems more like someone phishing for homework or fanfic ideas rather than a genuine question. So my question to you, OP, is: what do you think society will become? Et cetera.

I will say just one thing though: whatever else happens, unless we discover instantaneous communication, the communication delay between colonies will play a major role in the new society. At the very least, expect a resurgence in the telegraph.