CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATION (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,044,853	$ 1,002,354	$ 907,321
Cost of goods sold	832,657	793,161	751,503
Production margin	212,196	209,193	155,818
Marketing and administrative expenses	92,058	90,474	91,075
Research and development expenses	19,330	19,577	19,941
Impairment of assets	0	0	39,831
Restructuring and other costs	470	865	22,024
Income (loss) from operations	100,338	98,277	(17,053)
Interest income	3,907	2,765	2,874
Interest expense	(3,254)	(3,336)	(3,490)
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	(1,211)	324	(2,452)
Other income (deductions)	(2,040)	819	(3,019)
Non-operating income (deductions), net	(2,598)	572	(6,087)
Income (loss) from continuing operation before provision (benefit) for taxes on income	97,740	98,849	(23,140)
Provision (benefit) for taxes on income	27,486	28,963	(5,387)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	70,254	69,886	(17,753)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	(3,151)
Consolidated net income (loss)	70,254	69,886	(20,904)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(2,733)	(3,017)	(2,892)
Net income (loss) attributable to Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTI)	$ 67,521	$ 66,869	$ (23,796)
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 3.75	$ 3.59	$ (1.10)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.17)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 3.75	$ 3.59	$ (1.27)
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 3.73	$ 3.58	$ (1.10)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.17)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 3.73	$ 3.58	$ (1.27)