Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,730 and $1,741, respectively Accounts and Other Receivables, Net, Current Allowance for accounts receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Inventories, net Inventory, Net Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Total current assets Assets, Current, Total Total current assets Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Other assets Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Intangible assets Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deposits and other Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Noncurrent Total other assets Assets, Noncurrent, Total Total other assets Total assets Assets, Total Total assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued expenses Accrued Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities Long-term debt, less current maturities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized; 43,696 and 43,468 shares issued and outstanding in 2011 and 2010, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Ending balance, shares Beginning balance, shares Common stock, shares outstanding Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total stockholders' equity before noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Total stockholders' equity before noncontrolling interest Noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Ending balance Beginning balance Total stockholders' equity Total stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity, Total Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Net sales of zinc material and other goods Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Net sales of nickel-based material and other services Recycling Revenue EAF dust service fees Sales Revenue, Services, Net Net sales Revenue, Net Net sales Costs Of Goods Sold Excluding Depreciation And Amortization Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services. Costof Salesof Nickel Based Material And Other Services Excluding Depreciation And Amortization Cost of EAF dust services Cost of Services Insurance claim income Unusual or Infrequent Item, Insurance Proceeds Insurance claim income Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization). Cost Of Sales Excluding Depreciation And Amortization Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Total costs and expenses Costs and Expenses, Total Total costs and expenses Income (loss) from operations Operating Income (Loss) Income (loss) from operations Other income (expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Interest expense Interest and Debt Expense Interest expense Interest and other income Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other income (expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Total other income (expense) Income (loss) before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) before income taxes Income tax provision (benefit) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) NET INCOME (LOSS) Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest NET INCOME (LOSS) Earnings (loss) per common share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted Weighted average shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Noncontrolling Interest Restricted stock vesting, shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Stock option exercise, shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Stock option exercise Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Stock compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Net tax benefit of equity award exercise Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net Distribution to noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Net income Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Accretion on ESOI liabilities Accretion Expense Deferred income tax benefit Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments Non-cash compensation expense Share-based Compensation Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] (Increase) in accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Other Receivables (Increase) in accounts receivable (Increase) in inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories (Increase) in inventories Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets (Increase) in other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets (Increase) in other assets (Decrease) increase in accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable (Decrease) increase in accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities (Decrease) increase in other long-term liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash Flows from Investing Activities [Abstract]: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Purchase of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchase of property, plant and equipment Purchase of INMETCO Payments for (Proceeds from) Previous Acquisition Purchase of INMETCO Decrease in restricted cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Decrease in restricted cash Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Payments on notes payable and long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Payments on notes payable and long-term debt Distribution to noncontrolling interests Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Distribution to noncontrolling interests Tax Effect From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities Net Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise The net effect of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with an equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan. Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise Proceeds from exercise of options Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Net cash provided (used in) by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided (used in) by financing activities Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period BASIS OF PRESENTATION Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block] Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract] Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract] ACQUISITION OF BUSINESS Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisition of Business [Abstract] Acquisition of Business [Abstract] CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] INVENTORIES Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories [Abstract] Inventories [Abstract] PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS The entire disclosure for prepaid expense and other current assets. This includes amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expenses with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and the aggregate carrying amount of current assets, as of the balance sheet date, not separately presented elsewhere in the balance sheet. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract] Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract] PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] RESTRICTED CASH The entire disclosure of the cash and cash equivalents items which are restricted as to withdrawal and usage. The provisions of any restrictions are described in this note to the financial statements. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits, however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposits are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Restricted Cash Disclosure [Text Block] Restricted Cash [Abstract] Restricted Cash [Abstract] RESTRICTED CASH NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt [Abstract] Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt [Abstract] Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] ACCRUED EXPENSES The entire disclosure for accrued liabilities at the end of the reporting period. Accrued Expenses [Abstract] Accrued Expenses [Abstract] ACCRUED EXPENSES OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract] Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract] INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Information [Abstract] MONACA, PENNSYLVANIA ACCIDENT INSURANCE RECOVERY Unusual or Infrequent Items Disclosure [Text Block] Monaca, Pennsylvania Accident Insurance Recovery [Abstract] Monaca, Pennsylvania Accident Insurance Recovery [Abstract] SUBSEQUENT EVENT Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Event [Abstract] Subsequent Event [Abstract] Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Public Float Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]