Miners will be closely watching the federal and Western Australian state budgets, which will both be handed down this month.

No doubt the stock most will be keeping an eye on is Padbury Mining, which remains suspended after terminating a proposed funding deal worth nearly $7 billion.

The Oakajee deal might have been scrapped but there are still plenty of questions surrounding the dumped proposal.

Aside from Padbury, Cassini Resources shares had a run in early April when the company announced the acquisition of BHP Billiton’s West Musgrave projects for a low $250,000.

Shares have clung to the bulk of the gains and shareholders are set to approve the deal later this month.

Rio Tinto will hold its Australian annual general meeting next week.

Also meeting this month will be the shareholders of Intrepid Mines, which will meet on May 13 for an extraordinary general meeting and then again on May 30 for the AGM.

Both will have resolutions about board composition, with shareholder Quantum Pacific Capital again trying to oust existing directors in favour of its own nominees.

Shareholders will also be asked to vote on a return of capital, a move the board is recommending that voters reject.

Intrepid said it was in discussions for new investments for its huge cash balance of around $170 million and said an agreement could be reached by June, after which any deal would be put to shareholders to gain approval in August.

In other corporate activity, Norton Gold Fields launched a hostile takeover bid for smaller Kalgoorlie developer Bullabulling Gold.

Norton’s rationale for the 7c per share offer is that it could obtain access to the funds required to develop Bullabulling’s 3.5 million ounce namesake project.

Bullabulling has recommended shareholders reject the offer.

Earlier this week, Ord River Resources made a takeover offer for its joint venture partner Dampier Gold.

Dampier has advised shareholders to take no action at this stage.

It’s been quiet on the float front so far this year but there are signs of a pick-up.

Stavely Minerals closed its initial public offering last week fully subscribed, raising $6 million.

The Victorian copper hopeful, run by the team behind Integra Mining, expects to list on the Australian Securities Exchange next week.

Morgans Corporate was lead manager to the IPO and Stavely said the level of support from former Integra shareholders was especially pleasing.

Sovereign Gold has also opened an IPO for its subsidiary Mount Adrah Gold with a priority offer to its own shareholders.

Mount Adrah is seeking to raise up to $3 million with the offer to remain open until May 21 for a listing in early June.

Also this month, Peel Mining has flagged a maiden resource for its Mallee Bull project in New South Wales for mid-late May.

Elsewhere is NSW, Newcrest Mining will formally open its Cadia East expansion this month, with MNP in attendance.