Review of Operations by Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operations by segment
Total revenues from continuing operations	$ 451,579us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 512,483us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Total operating income from continuing operations	38,881us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	32,227us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Total Depreciation and Amortization	39,891	44,835
Total Capital Expenditures	31,630	39,839
Interest income	256us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	297us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest
Interest expense	(11,884)us-gaap_InterestExpense	(11,421)us-gaap_InterestExpense
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability	(2,245)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueAdjustment	(2,546)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueAdjustment
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	25,008	18,557
Total reportable segments
Operations by segment
Total operating income from continuing operations	49,243	44,719
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues from continuing operations	291,198	352,822
Total operating income from continuing operations	10,583	22,649
Total Depreciation and Amortization	34,891	40,701
Total Capital Expenditures	21,828	37,741
Harsco Industrial
Operations by segment
Total revenues from continuing operations	98,803	102,100
Total operating income from continuing operations	17,027	16,571
Total Depreciation and Amortization	1,287	1,202
Total Capital Expenditures	7,221	643
Harsco Rail Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues from continuing operations	61,578	57,561
Total operating income from continuing operations	21,633	5,499
Total Depreciation and Amortization	1,556	1,419
Total Capital Expenditures	537	886
Corporate
Operations by segment
Total operating income from continuing operations	(10,362)	(12,492)
Total Depreciation and Amortization	2,157	1,513
Total Capital Expenditures	$ 2,044	$ 569

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

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