Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Operations by segment
Total revenues	$ 367,787	$ 428,334	$ 1,091,001	$ 1,335,660
Operating income from continuing operations	28,576	7,728	39,321	82,338
Interest income	673	264	1,760	951
Interest expense	(13,756)	(11,110)	(39,924)	(34,812)
Change in fair value to the unit adjustment liability and loss on dilution and sale of equity method investment	(44,788)	(2,083)	(58,494)	(6,492)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income (loss)	(29,295)	(5,201)	(57,337)	41,985
Depreciation and Amortization	36,625	39,766	108,287	119,346
Capital Expenditures	17,770	28,337	49,946	91,583
Total reportable segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	34,977	18,389	59,574	112,050
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	247,691	277,367	730,923	862,901
Operating income from continuing operations	24,066	(3,331)	61,934	25,851
Depreciation and Amortization	30,255	34,636	91,942	104,368
Capital Expenditures	15,272	23,205	43,997	72,748
Harsco Industrial Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	63,422	91,199	191,561	281,883
Operating income from continuing operations	6,312	13,934	20,083	45,380
Depreciation and Amortization	1,827	1,855	5,395	4,507
Capital Expenditures	1,817	3,662	4,113	12,467
Harsco Rail Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	56,674	59,768	168,517	190,876
Operating income from continuing operations	4,599	7,786	(22,443)	40,819
Depreciation and Amortization	1,441	1,476	4,236	4,670
Capital Expenditures	497	374	1,636	1,599
Corporate [Member]
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	(6,401)	(10,661)	(20,253)	(29,712)
Depreciation and Amortization	3,102	1,799	6,714	5,801
Capital Expenditures	$ 184	$ 1,096	$ 200	$ 4,769