CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 01, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 251,289	$ 257,138
Cost of goods sold	196,401	202,201
Production margin	54,888	54,937
Marketing and administrative expenses	22,934	22,898
Research and development expenses	4,818	5,047
Income from operations	27,136	26,992
Non-operating income (deductions), net	168	(598)
Income from continuing operations before provision for taxes	27,304	26,394
Provision for taxes on income	7,700	7,786
Consolidated net income	19,604	18,608
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	848	576
Net income attribute to Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTI)	$ 18,756	$ 18,032
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.54	$ 0.51
Diluted	$ 0.53	$ 0.51
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.05	$ 0.025
Shares used in computation of earnings per share:
Basic	34,996	35,436
Diluted	35,253	35,600