Would a remote controlled humanoid robot from an orbiting platform be a possible compromise?
And even then, again there's just something about a trained geologist being there, immersed in the thing, thinking on the spot, using a shovel that just can't be matched with robots.
Then you have all the ISRU (in situ resource utilisation) that you can take advantage of on Mars vs. in orbit around Mars. There have been experiments already demonstrating obtaining useful stuff (MOXIE got oxygen). And theoretically you can also make methane, you can melt water, etc.