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Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 Harsco Infrastructure Segment | Mar. 31, 2014 Harsco Infrastructure Segment | Dec. 31, 2013 Harsco Infrastructure Segment | Mar. 31, 2014 Harsco Infrastructure Segment Infrastructure Transaction Strategic Venture [Member] | Nov. 26, 2013 Harsco Infrastructure Segment Infrastructure Transaction Strategic Venture [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from the Infrastructure transaction | $ 3,296,000 | $ 0 | $ 300,000,000 |  |  |  |
Percentage of equity interest in the strategic venture entered into as a result of the transaction |  |  |  |  |  | 29.00% | 29.00%
Impairment of long-lived assets recorded as a result of the transaction | 699,000 | 0 |  | 700,000 | 271,300,000 |  |
Transaction related expenses |  |  |  | $ 1,400,000 |  |  |

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