Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 segment	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	4
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge	$ 265,038,000	$ 0	$ 0
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of major customers	2	2	2
Number of contracts whose loss could have material impact, minimum	1
Goodwill impairment charge	0
Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge	265,038,000
ArcelorMittal | Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Amount of entity-wide revenue from major customers	$ 283,300,000	$ 361,900,000	$ 359,000,000