Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Operations by segment
Total revenues	$ 353,281	$ 451,579
Operating income from continuing operations	9,431	38,881
Interest income	535	256
Interest expense	(12,363)	(11,884)
Change in fair value to the unit adjustment liability and loss on dilution of equity method investment	(12,217)	(2,245)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(14,614)	25,008
Depreciation and Amortization	36,045	39,891
Capital Expenditures	16,951	31,630
Total reportable segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	18,318	49,243
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	229,672	291,198
Operating income from continuing operations	6,941	10,583
Depreciation and Amortization	31,025	34,891
Capital Expenditures	15,420	21,828
Harsco Industrial Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	61,869	98,803
Operating income from continuing operations	6,471	17,027
Depreciation and Amortization	1,718	1,287
Capital Expenditures	1,134	7,221
Harsco Rail Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	61,740	61,578
Operating income from continuing operations	4,906	21,633
Depreciation and Amortization	1,434	1,556
Capital Expenditures	372	537
Corporate [Member]
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	(8,887)	(10,362)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,868	2,157
Capital Expenditures	$ 25	$ 2,044