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Patrick (Paddy) Meahan and Matthew James Boylen are not household names in the Chaleur region, but perhaps they should be.

The two men, now deceased, are responsible for the discovery and development of what eventually became Brunswick Mine near Bathurst, the largest zinc mine in the world.

Tribute was paid to the two men during a ceremony on Oct. 28 organized by the City of Bathurst. Three plaques were unveiled near the Veteran's Bridge honouring both Mr. Meahan and Mr. Boylen, as well as Brunswick Mine and the Brunswick Smelter in Belledune, both now owned by Xstrata Zinc.

The plaque for Mr. Meahan reads, "In memory of Patrick (Paddy) Meahan, 1890-1971. Paddy, a mining engineer (B.Sc., University of Toronto), was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick. Through his efforts, faith and perseverance, he sparked the development of the largest zinc mine in the world, Brunswick Mine, in January 1953."

The plaque for Mr. Boylen reads, "Matthew James Boylen, 1907-1970. Prospector, entrepreneur and financier, he was the driving force behind the exploration and development in the Bathurst area in the 1950s, most notably that of Brunswick Mining and Smelting Corporation."

During last month's ceremony, former city councillor Frank Quigg read some history about each man. He noted that Mr. Meahan spent most of his life in Northern Quebec, and was the first mine captain of the sinking of the Noranda mine. He was the manager of different mines in that area.

Around 1946-47, he returned to Bathurst and the first property he staked was the Elm Tree lead-zinc prospect, about 25 kilometres northwest of Bathurst. That was in July 1946 and that same year he optioned his claims to Anaconda Mining and Smelting Co. of New York.

Mr. Quigg noted the staking rush led to the discovery of one base metal deposit after another, 45 in all, followed by the working of a dozen commercial operations.

The gigantic Brunswick No. 12 deposit came into production in 1964, accompanied by the completion of the lead smelter in Belledune.

Mr. Boylen, who was raised in Weston, Ont., was a very successful promoter with various connections and rich friends in New York who helped him raise money.

"Over the years, Boylen and his associates bought at least eight mines into production and juggled as many as 50 mining companies at a time from his Toronto office on Bay Street," said Mr. Quigg.

In the spring of 1952, Mr. Boylen formed a prospecting syndicate with four wealthy Americans who wanted to invest in Canadian mineral exploration, in part so they could write off their expenditures as tax losses.

"Boylen returned to Canada and immediately approached Paddy Meahan, asking him to be Boylen's field scout, to sniff around Bathurst and find promising mineral deposits," said Mr. Quigg.

"Paddy initially thought the offer was a dream come true: lots of money to play with and freedom to explore the mineral deposits of his choice."

Mr. Quigg noted this alliance ultimately lead to the transformation of the economy in Northeast New Brunswick, via the discovery of what became Brunswick No. 12.

"Mining represented a way of life for more than a thousand people and supported dozens of communities. The district emerged as an international mining centre," concluded Mr. Quigg.