CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2011	Oct. 03, 2010	Oct. 02, 2011	Oct. 03, 2010
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 262,192	$ 249,812	$ 793,111	$ 759,039
Cost of goods sold	209,282	197,634	633,585	600,448
Production margin	52,910	52,178	159,526	158,591
Marketing and administrative expenses	22,553	22,587	69,392	67,519
Research and development expenses	4,723	4,635	14,489	14,687
Restructuring and other costs	240	0	470	865
Income from operations	25,394	24,956	75,175	75,520
Non-operating income (deductions), net	(1,663)	(177)	(3,299)	309
Income from continuing operations before provision for taxes	23,731	24,779	71,876	75,829
Provision for taxes on income	7,387	7,310	21,686	22,625
Consolidated net income	16,344	17,469	50,190	53,204
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	656	767	2,308	2,174
Net income attribute to Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTI)	$ 15,688	$ 16,702	$ 47,882	$ 51,030
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.88	$ 0.90	$ 2.64	$ 2.73
Diluted	$ 0.87	$ 0.90	$ 2.62	$ 2.72
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
Shares used in computation of earnings per share:
Basic	17,928	18,536	18,128	18,669
Diluted	18,019	18,600	18,242	18,729