About us

Founder and Principal Jack Eloranta brings over 30 years of blasting experience to the company. Based on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range, E&A Inc. offers specialized expertise in blasting, mining, and geology.

Jack holds undergraduate degrees in Geology and Mining, as well as a Master’s degree in Mining—each earned from the University of Wisconsin. His professional career includes 22 years with U.S. Steel Corporation at the Minntac Mine, focusing on iron ore operations.

A recognized authority in his field, Jack has authored more than two dozen technical papers on mining and blasting. He also revised the open pit and quarry chapter of the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) Handbook. A founding officer and five-term president of the Lake Superior Chapter of ISEE, he was honored with the ISEE President’s Award in 2004 for outstanding service to the explosives industry.

Jack currently served on ISEE Board of Directors, including Board President. He is also a member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), a licensed pilot, and a committed community member—having donated over 20 gallons of blood.

• Albian Sands

• ArcelorMittal

• Barr Engineering

• Bureau of Indian Affairs

• Demcon

• Department of Agriculture – U.S. Forest Service

• Dunnville Drilling LLC

• Dyno Explosives

• Faegre & Benson LLP

• Hibbing Community College

• Hibbing Taconite Company

• Hunt Global

• Kraemer Company

• Lake Superior College

• Lametti & Sons

• Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company

• Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation

• Marcus Evans

• Marquette County, Minnesota

• Michigan Technological University

• Minnesota Department of Transportation

• Minnesota Explosives Co.

• Minsur – Peru

• Northshore Mining Company

• Orica Explosives Inc.

• Pegasus International Inc.

• Queen’s University

• Redbull Powder Company

• RKI Construction

• Sappi Paper

• Steel Dynamics

• Suncorp

• Teck Coal

• Teranga Gold 

• U. S. Steel Keetac

• U. S. Steel Minntac

• Ulland Brothers Construction

• University of Minnesota – Duluth

• University of Missouri – Rolla

• US Department of Energy

• Viking Explosives

• Williams Operating Corporation