Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Operations by segment
Total revenues	$ 394,898	$ 369,933	$ 767,439	$ 723,214
Operating income from continuing operations	42,474	1,314	70,382	10,745
Interest income	493	552	1,005	1,087
Interest expense	(12,405)	(13,805)	(24,058)	(26,168)
Change in fair value to the unit adjustment liability and loss on dilution of equity method investment	0	(1,489)	0	(13,706)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income (loss)	30,562	(13,428)	47,329	(28,042)
Depreciation and Amortization	32,275	35,617	64,503	71,662
Capital Expenditures	23,711	15,225	40,700	32,176
Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	49,289	6,279	84,508	24,597
Corporate
Operations by segment
Total revenues	35	0	69	0
Operating income from continuing operations	(6,815)	(4,965)	(14,126)	(13,852)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,479	1,744	2,950	3,612
Capital Expenditures	233	(9)	778	16
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	259,306	253,560	506,340	483,232
Operating income from continuing operations	32,177	30,927	58,606	37,868
Depreciation and Amortization	27,928	30,662	55,808	61,687
Capital Expenditures	21,599	13,305	37,071	28,725
Harsco Industrial Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	73,563	66,270	139,448	128,139
Operating income from continuing operations	9,151	7,300	11,955	13,771
Depreciation and Amortization	1,843	1,850	3,683	3,568
Capital Expenditures	796	1,162	1,548	2,296
Harsco Rail Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	61,994	50,103	121,582	111,843
Operating income from continuing operations	7,961	(31,948)	13,947	(27,042)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,025	1,361	2,062	2,795
Capital Expenditures	$ 1,083	$ 767	$ 1,303	$ 1,139