Restructuring Programs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Project Orion Operational Savings - Min		$ 20,000
Project Orion Phase III Operational Savings - Max		25,000
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| Harsco Metals & Minerals Improvement Plan (Project Orion) [Member] \| Employee Severance
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual at December 31 2015	$ 5,807
Cash Expenditures	(4,796)
Foreign Currency Translation	60
Other adjustments	(84)
Accrual at September 30 2016	$ 987	$ 5,807

Project Orion Phase III Operational Savings - Min

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Project Orion Phase III Operational Savings - Max

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

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Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

+ Details

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

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Amount of consideration other than cash used to fully or partially settle an accrued restructuring cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4

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Amount of gain (loss) from translating a restructuring reserve to the currency of the reporting entity from an amount denominated or measured in a different currency.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4

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