Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operations by segment
Revenues	$ 3,302,740	$ 3,038,678	$ 2,990,577
Total Operating Income (Loss)	87,649	78,431	218,656
Assets	3,338,877	3,469,220	3,639,240
Depreciation and Amortization	310,441	315,239	311,531
Capital Expenditures	313,101	192,348	165,320
Interest income	2,751	2,668	2,928
Interest expense	(48,735)	(60,623)	(62,746)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	41,665	20,476	158,838
Total reportable segments
Operations by segment
Total Operating Income (Loss)	93,440	81,564	223,366
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	1,588,302	1,461,531	1,257,098
Total Operating Income (Loss)	109,593	117,915	43,303
Assets	1,537,538	1,541,117	1,648,878
Depreciation and Amortization	183,784	180,306	191,647
Capital Expenditures	212,009	123,153	102,762
Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	1,108,293	1,031,807	1,159,200
Total Operating Income (Loss)	(125,555)	(145,346)	68,437
Assets	1,371,143	1,534,379	1,669,401
Depreciation and Amortization	107,621	114,861	101,465
Capital Expenditures	88,456	54,858	41,530
Harsco Rail Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	300,029	313,262	306,016
Total Operating Income (Loss)	58,746	66,124	56,542
Assets	213,410	208,338	208,877
Depreciation and Amortization	10,133	11,110	11,106
Capital Expenditures	4,497	9,498	7,699
Harsco Industrial Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	306,116	231,898	268,023
Total Operating Income (Loss)	50,656	42,871	55,084
Assets	80,784	58,918	58,587
Depreciation and Amortization	2,805	2,832	2,923
Capital Expenditures	4,938	1,722	2,674
Corporate
Operations by segment
Revenues		180	240
Total Operating Income (Loss)	(5,791)	(3,133)	(4,710)
Assets	136,002	126,468	53,497
Depreciation and Amortization	6,098	6,130	4,390
Capital Expenditures	$ 3,201	$ 3,117	$ 10,655