Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Operations by segment
Total revenues	$ 369,933	$ 455,747	$ 723,214	$ 907,326
Operating income from continuing operations	1,314	35,729	10,745	74,610
Interest income	552	431	1,087	687
Interest expense	(13,805)	(11,818)	(26,168)	(23,702)
Change in fair value to the unit adjustment liability and loss on dilution of equity method investment	(1,489)	(2,164)	(13,706)	(4,409)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income (loss)	(13,428)	22,178	(28,042)	47,186
Depreciation and Amortization	35,617	39,689	71,662	79,580
Capital Expenditures	15,225	31,616	32,176	63,246
Total reportable segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	6,279	44,418	24,597	93,661
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	253,560	294,336	483,232	585,534
Operating income from continuing operations	30,927	18,599	37,868	29,182
Depreciation and Amortization	30,662	34,841	61,687	69,732
Capital Expenditures	13,305	27,715	28,725	49,543
Harsco Industrial Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	66,270	91,881	128,139	190,684
Operating income from continuing operations	7,300	14,419	13,771	31,446
Depreciation and Amortization	1,850	1,365	3,568	2,652
Capital Expenditures	1,162	1,584	2,296	8,805
Harsco Rail Segment
Operations by segment
Total revenues	50,103	69,530	111,843	131,108
Operating income from continuing operations	(31,948)	11,400	(27,042)	33,033
Depreciation and Amortization	1,361	1,638	2,795	3,194
Capital Expenditures	767	688	1,139	1,225
Corporate [Member]
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	(4,965)	(8,689)	(13,852)	(19,051)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,744	1,845	3,612	4,002
Capital Expenditures	$ (9)	$ 1,629	$ 16	$ 3,673