Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Operations by segment
Total revenues	$ 428,334	$ 526,377	$ 1,335,660	$ 1,574,204
Operating income from continuing operations	7,728	48,444	82,338	89,365
Interest income	264	555	951	1,262
Interest expense	(11,110)	(11,949)	(34,812)	(35,328)
Change in fair value to the unit adjustment liability	(2,083)	(2,398)	(6,492)	(7,417)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity loss	(5,201)	34,652	41,985	47,882
Depreciation and Amortization	39,766	43,413	119,346	133,792
Capital Expenditures	28,337	52,674	91,583	135,170
Total reportable segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	18,389	56,989	112,050	125,386
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	277,367	347,625	862,901	1,062,208
Operating income from continuing operations	(3,331)	27,058	25,851	42,430
Depreciation and Amortization	34,636	39,398	104,368	121,488
Capital Expenditures	23,205	41,635	72,748	119,977
Harsco Industrial Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	91,199	105,591	281,883	310,696
Operating income from continuing operations	13,934	15,955	45,380	49,955
Depreciation and Amortization	1,855	1,168	4,507	3,712
Capital Expenditures	3,662	4,392	12,467	5,867
Harsco Rail Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	59,768	73,161	190,876	201,300
Operating income from continuing operations	7,786	13,976	40,819	33,001
Depreciation and Amortization	1,476	1,387	4,670	4,135
Capital Expenditures	374	583	1,599	2,549
Corporate [Member]
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	(10,661)	(8,545)	(29,712)	(36,021)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,799	1,460	5,801	4,457
Capital Expenditures	$ 1,096	$ 6,064	$ 4,769	$ 6,777