I don't know about minimum tonnage to qualify yfor a bulk sample but Brian Maher (at PDAC was talking about 10,000 tonnes (if I remember correctly).

I am guessing rules differ from province to province. I was in a company based in Val d'or QC that is building a decline down to the main ore zone .... through 2 other gold zones. So as part of the excavation they were also bulk sampling and stock piling ... but as soon as they start processing ore, they are considered a miner and not an explorer. Quebec rebates 50% of exploration costs to explo companies ... so they continue to stockpile until they finish the decline ... and perhaps another.

PRZ also did several bulk samples on their property as they were suffering from nugget effect ...not sure what permitting was required for that.

so back to the point re- bulk sampling. I think you just apply for a permit for what you want to do .. within reason. I don't think that 10-20k tonnes is unreasonable.

but I really have no idea.