Other Expenses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Schedule of other expenses (income)

The major components of this Consolidated Statements of Operations caption are as follows:

(In thousands)	2016			2015			2014
Net gains	$	(1,764	)	$	(10,613	)	$	(6,718	)
Employee termination benefit costs	10,777			14,914			19,120
Other costs to exit activities	440			13,451			4,908
Impaired asset write-downs	399			8,170			39,455
Foreign currency gains related to Harsco Rail Segment advances on contracts	—			(10,940		)	—
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment separation costs	3,235			9,922			—
Subcontractor settlement	—			4,220			—
Other expense	(467		)	1,449			1,059
Total	$	12,620		$	30,573		$	57,824

Schedule of net gains from sales of redundant properties and non-core assets

	Net Gains
(In thousands)	2016			2015			2014
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	(1,828	)	$	(7,059	)	$	(3,538	)
Harsco Industrial Segment	64			(3,554		)	(2,077		)
Corporate	—			—			(1,103		)
Total	$	(1,764	)	$	(10,613	)	$	(6,718	)

Schedule of employee termination benefit costs

	Employee Termination Benefit Costs
(In thousands)	2016		2015		2014
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	8,491	$	11,454	$	18,169
Harsco Industrial Segment	947		561		421
Harsco Rail Segment	297		145		185
Corporate	1,042		2,754		345
Total	$	10,777	$	14,914	$	19,120

Schedule of exit costs

	Costs to Exit Activities
(In thousands)	2016		2015		2014
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	220	$	12,638	$	6,395
Harsco Industrial Segment	40		—		—
Corporate	180		813		(1,487		)
Total	$	440	$	13,451	$	4,908

Schedule of impaired asset write-downs

	Impaired Asset Write-downs
(In thousands)	2016		2015		2014
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	399	$	8,170	$	38,791
Harsco Industrial Segment	—		—		74
Harsco Rail Segment	—		—		590
Total	$	399	$	8,170	$	39,455