Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Operations by segment
Total revenues	$ 455,747	$ 535,344	$ 907,326	$ 1,047,827
Operating income from continuing operations	35,729	8,694	74,610	40,921
Interest income	431	410	687	707
Interest expense	(11,818)	(11,958)	(23,702)	(23,379)
Change in fair value to the unit adjustment liability	(2,164)	(2,473)	(4,409)	(5,019)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity loss	22,178	(5,327)	47,186	13,230
Depreciation and Amortization	39,689	45,544	79,580	90,379
Capital Expenditures	31,616	42,657	63,246	82,496
Total reportable segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	44,418	23,678	93,661	68,397
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	294,336	361,761	585,534	714,583
Operating income from continuing operations	18,599	(7,277)	29,182	15,372
Depreciation and Amortization	34,841	41,389	69,732	82,090
Capital Expenditures	27,715	40,601	49,543	78,342
Harsco Industrial Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	91,881	103,005	190,684	205,105
Operating income from continuing operations	14,419	17,429	31,446	34,000
Depreciation and Amortization	1,365	1,342	2,652	2,544
Capital Expenditures	1,584	832	8,805	1,475
Harsco Rail Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	69,530	70,578	131,108	128,139
Operating income from continuing operations	11,400	13,526	33,033	19,025
Depreciation and Amortization	1,638	1,329	3,194	2,748
Capital Expenditures	688	1,080	1,225	1,966
Corporate [Member]
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	(8,689)	(14,984)	(19,051)	(27,476)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,845	1,484	4,002	2,997
Capital Expenditures	$ 1,629	$ 144	$ 3,673	$ 713