CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2012	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 01, 2012	Jul. 03, 2011
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 253,969	$ 268,399	$ 511,107	$ 530,919
Cost of goods sold	197,627	214,725	399,828	424,303
Production margin	56,342	53,674	111,279	106,616
Marketing and administrative expenses	21,840	23,710	44,738	46,839
Research and development expenses	5,026	4,897	10,073	9,766
Restructuring and other costs	0	0	0	230
Income from operations	29,476	25,067	56,468	49,781
Non-operating income (deductions), net	(768)	(799)	(1,366)	(1,636)
Income from continuing operations before provision for taxes	28,708	24,268	55,102	48,145
Provision for taxes on income	8,469	7,112	16,255	14,299
Consolidated net income	20,239	17,156	38,847	33,846
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	524	743	1,100	1,652
Net income attribute to Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTI)	$ 19,715	$ 16,413	$ 37,747	$ 32,194
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 1.11	$ 0.90	$ 2.13	$ 1.77
Diluted	$ 1.11	$ 0.90	$ 2.12	$ 1.75
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Shares used in computation of earnings per share:
Basic	17,724	18,177	17,721	18,227
Diluted	17,790	18,290	17,795	18,353