I have never really thought about that once. But apparently if mining stops, how will transactions be confirmed? Well, it is good the possibility of something like that happening is zero.
You are exactly right, confirming transactions will really a big thing and the possibility for happening is zero reason why what about gold/silver.mining will not be illegal even if it is illegal its not a single mark to find the miners across it is a huge galaxy of bitcoin ocean.
So cheer up with your mining!
