CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 256,844	$ 251,358	$ 507,357	$ 505,916
Cost of goods sold	197,995	194,562	392,625	393,511
Production margin	58,849	56,796	114,732	112,405
Marketing and administrative expenses	21,644	21,631	44,456	44,304
Research and development expenses	4,826	5,025	9,644	10,072
Income from operations	32,379	30,140	60,632	58,029
Non-operating income (deductions), net	(1,472)	(767)	(1,339)	(1,366)
Income from continuing operations before provision for taxes	30,907	29,373	59,293	56,663
Provision for taxes on income	8,221	8,682	16,267	16,755
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, net of tax	22,686	20,691	43,026	39,908
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of tax	(4,947)	(452)	(5,683)	(1,061)
Consolidated net income	17,739	20,239	37,343	38,847
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	619	524	1,467	1,100
Net income attribute to Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTI)	$ 17,120	$ 19,715	$ 35,876	$ 37,747
Earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to MTI	$ 0.63	$ 0.57	$ 1.19	$ 1.09
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to MTI	$ (0.14)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.03)
Basic earnings per share attributable to MTI	$ 0.49	$ 0.56	$ 1.03	$ 1.06
Income from continuing operations attributable to MTI	$ 0.63	$ 0.57	$ 1.18	$ 1.09
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to MTI	$ (0.14)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.03)
Diluted earnings per share attributable to MTI	$ 0.49	$ 0.56	$ 1.02	$ 1.06
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.050	$ 0.025	$ 0.10	$ 0.05
Shares used in computation of earnings per share:
Basic	34,799	35,448	34,897	35,442
Diluted	35,031	35,580	35,141	35,590