CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) [Abstract] Production margin Income (loss) from operations Income from operations Total non-operating deductions, net Income (loss) before tax and equity in earnings Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net loss Net income (loss) attributable to Minerals Technologies Inc. Net income (loss) attributable to Minerals Technologies Inc. (in Dollars) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) [Abstract] Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Other comprehensive income (loss), net Total comprehensive income (loss) including non-controlling interests Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Minerals Technologies Inc. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract] Total current assets Property, plant, and equipment, net Total assets Assets Total current liabilities Total liabilities Total Minerals Technologies Inc. shareholders’ equity Balance at beginning of period Balance at end of period Total shareholders’ equity Balance Balance Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS [Abstract] Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash used in investing activities Net cash used in financing activities Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS̕ EQUITY [Abstract] Equity Components [Axis] Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Abstract] Product and Service [Axis] Segments [Axis] Earnings (Loss) per Share [Abstract] Earnings (loss) per share: Weighted average shares outstanding, adjusted (in Shares) Diluted (in Shares) Restructuring and Other Items [Abstract] Consolidation Items [Axis] Total restructuring and other items, net Restructuring and other items Restructuring liability, beginning of period Restructuring liability, end of period Income Taxes [Abstract] Inventories [Abstract] Total inventories Inventories Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Class [Axis] Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract] Long-Term Debt and Commitments [Abstract] Debt Instrument [Axis] Long-term debt Long-term debt (in Dollars) Benefit Plans [Abstract] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Net periodic benefit cost Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Net of tax Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Axis] Contingencies [Abstract] Claims pending, beginning of period Claims pending, end of period Claims pending (in Claim) Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Segment and Related Information [Abstract] Document Type Document Quarterly Report Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Transition Report Entity File Number Entity Registrant Name Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, Postal Zip Code City Area Code Local Phone Number Title of 12(b) Security Trading Symbol Security Exchange Name Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Filer Category Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Shell Company Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Central Index Key Amendment Flag Document Fiscal Period Focus Current Fiscal Year End Date Net sales Cost of goods sold Marketing and administrative expenses Research and development expenses Provision for litigation accrual and credit losses Litigation expenses Interest expense, net Other non-operating income (deductions), net Provision (benefit) for taxes on income Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests Basic net income (loss) attributable to Minerals Technologies Inc. (in Dollars per share) Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Minerals Technologies Inc. (in Dollars per share) Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Minerals Technologies Inc. (in Dollars per share) Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Minerals Technologies Inc. (in Dollars per share) Cash dividends declared per common share (in Dollars per share) Shares used in computation of earnings (loss) per share: Basic (in Shares) Weighted average shares outstanding (in Shares) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Short-term investments Accounts receivable, net Prepaid expenses and other current assets Property, plant, and equipment Goodwill Intangible assets Deferred income taxes Other assets and deferred charges LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Short-term debt Short-term debt (in Dollars) Current maturities of long-term debt Less: Current maturities of long-term debt Accounts payable Other current liabilities Long-term debt, net of unamortized discount and deferred financing costs Total long-term debt Deferred income taxes Accrued pension and postretirement benefits Other non-current liabilities Commitments and contingencies Shareholders’ equity: Common stock Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Non-controlling interests Operating Activities: Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation, depletion, and amortization Reduction of right of use asset Investing Activities: Proceeds from sale of short-term investments Financing Activities: Net proceeds from issuance of short-term debt Proceeds from issuance of stock under option plan Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid Income taxes paid Non-cash financing activities: Treasury stock purchases settled after period end Excise tax charged to equity not paid Issuance of shares pursuant to employee stock compensation plans Stock-based compensation Gain on sale of assets, net Gain on sale of assets, net Pension and postretirement plan adjustments Less accumulated depreciation and depletion Less common stock held in treasury Other non-cash items, net Net changes in operating assets and liabilities Purchases of property, plant, and equipment Purchases of short-term investments Other investing activities Repayment of long-term debt Repayment of long-term debt (in Dollars) Purchase of common stock for treasury Excess tax benefits related to stock incentive programs Dividends paid to non-controlling interests Cash dividends paid Dividends declared Dividends paid to non-controlling interests Purchase of common stock for treasury Conversion of RSU's for tax withholding Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] Treasury Stock [Member] Non-controlling Interests [Member] Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Revenue from Contracts with Customers Disaggregation of Revenue by Major Source Earnings (Loss) per Share