Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Operations by segment
Total revenues	$ 384,653	$ 367,787	$ 1,152,092	$ 1,091,001
Operating income from continuing operations	33,950	28,576	104,332	39,321
Interest income	610	673	1,615	1,760
Interest expense	(12,123)	(13,756)	(36,181)	(39,924)
Change in fair value to the unit adjustment liability and loss on dilution and sale of equity method investment	0	(44,788)	0	(58,494)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	22,437	(29,295)	69,766	(57,337)
Depreciation and Amortization	33,005	36,625	97,508	108,287
Capital Expenditures	23,431	17,770	64,131	49,946
Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	41,352	34,977	125,860	59,574
Corporate
Operations by segment
Total revenues	38	0	107	0
Operating income from continuing operations	(7,402)	(6,401)	(21,528)	(20,253)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,449	3,102	4,399	6,714
Capital Expenditures	297	184	1,075	200
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	255,163	247,691	761,503	730,923
Operating income from continuing operations	24,327	24,066	82,933	61,934
Depreciation and Amortization	28,636	30,255	84,444	91,942
Capital Expenditures	20,994	15,272	58,065	43,997
Harsco Industrial Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	78,318	63,422	217,766	191,561
Operating income from continuing operations	12,864	6,312	24,819	20,083
Depreciation and Amortization	1,826	1,827	5,509	5,395
Capital Expenditures	1,678	1,817	3,226	4,113
Harsco Rail Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	51,134	56,674	172,716	168,517
Operating income from continuing operations	4,161	4,599	18,108	(22,443)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,094	1,441	3,156	4,236
Capital Expenditures	$ 462	$ 497	$ 1,765	$ 1,636