are you sure those end users are encapsulated within the NDA (cloud of secrecy) restricting them from action until the PEA is released or are you surmising?

No way of knowing, but the secrecy of this market provides protection. Since no one outside knows the true pricing, true costs and characteristics being honed any Compnay on the outsdie would be taking a huge risk in makeing a play with limited information. Especially when they would know the stock is under majority control.

With the pre-PEA info they've rec'd, what would it take to start a bidding-war (within those subject to the NDA) ?

Anything I say in this regard is a guess. The only thing we know for sure is - there is zero chance of a bidding war without at least 1 bid. So we have to start there and who knows what/when/how (if ever) that comes about. The only thing we can count on is the basic greed and common sense of business. If the mine is as profitable as we assume, there will be lots of interest.