Document and Entity Information Automotive Equipment Automotive equipment Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the automotive equipment. Mineral Reserves and Land Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of mineral reserves and land. Mineral reserves and land Buildings and Building and Leasehold Improvements Buildings and building and leasehold improvements Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of buildings and building and leasehold improvements. Lime and Limestone Operations Lime and limestone operations Revenue related to the production and sale of PLS, quicklime, hydrated lime and lime slurry forming a principal portion of the entity's revenue. Natural Gas Interests Natural gas interests Represents the cost of labor and other operating expenses relating to the company's natural gas interests. Labor And Other Operating Expenses Abstract Labor and other operating expenses Lime and Limestone Operations Expenses Lime and limestone operations Represents the cost of labor and other operating expenses relating to the company's lime and limestone operations. Natural gas interests Labor and Other Operating Expenses Natural Gas Interests Represents the cost of labor and other operating expenses relating to the company's natural gas interests. Labor and Other Operating Expenses Labor and other operating expenses This element represent labour and other operating expenses during the reporting period. Amendment Description New Accounting Pronouncements Amendment Flag New Accounting Pronouncements Disclosure [Text Block] Represents the entire disclosure pertaining to the new accounting pronouncements. New Accounting Pronouncements Banking Facilities and Other Debt Banking Facilities and Other Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Banking Facilities and Other Debt This element represent banking facilities and other debt. Supplementary Financial Information for Oil and Gas Producing Activities Supplemental Financial Information Disclosure [TextBlock] Supplementary Financial Information for Oil and Gas Producing Activities This element Represents the enitre disclosure pertaining to the supplemental financial information of the company. Lime and Limestone Operations, Net, Percentage Lime and limestone operations (as a percent) The percentage of revenue from Lime and Limestone operations to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Natural Gas Interests, Net, Percentage Natural gas interests (as a percent) The percentage of revenue from Natural Gas Interests to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Revenue, Net, Percentage Total Revenues (as a percent) The percentage of total revenue to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Labor and Other Operating Expenses, Net, Percentage Labor and other operating expenses (as a percent) The percentage of labor and other operating expenses to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Depreciation Depletion and Amortization, Net, Percentage Depreciation, depletion and amortization (as a percent) The percentage of revenue from depreciation, depletion and amortization to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Cost of Goods and Services Sold, Net, Percentage Total Cost of revenues (as a percent) The percentage of total cost of revenue to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Interest Expense, Net, Percentage Interest expense (as a percent) The percentage of interest expense to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Net, Percentage Other, net (as a percent) The percentage of other non-operating income expense to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Nonoperating Income (Expense), Net, Percentage Total Other expense (income) (as a percent) The percentage of non-operating income expense to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Gross Profit, Net, Percentage Gross profit (as a percent) The percentage of gross profit to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Net, Percentage Selling, general and administrative expenses (as a percent) Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Net, Percentage Current Fiscal Year End Date Operating Profit, Net, Percentage Operating profit (as a percent) The percentage of operating profit to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade receivables, net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes Minority Interest and Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Net Percentage Income before income taxes (as a percent) The percentage of income before income taxes to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Net, Percentage Income tax expense (as a percent) The percentage of income tax expense benefit to total net revenue from the sale of goods as of year end. Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic, Net, Percentage Net income (as a percent) This element represents Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic, Net, Percentage. Organization Document Period End Date Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation and depletion Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisitions of businesses Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Amortization of Financing Costs Amortization of deferred financing costs CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic (in dollars per share) Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Trade receivables Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common stock, authorized shares Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Balances (in shares) Balances (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive (loss) income Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Cost of Goods and Services Sold Total cost of revenues Cost of Goods and Services Sold [Abstract] Cost of revenues: Cost of Goods and Services Sold, Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation, depletion and amortization Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred tax liabilities, net Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization expense Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation Furniture and fixtures Furniture and Fixtures, Gross Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment Gross Profit Gross profit CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other assets Interest Expense Interest expense Inventory, Net Inventories Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Current installments of debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Debt, excluding current installments Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Operating Activities: Net income Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net income Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other expense (income) Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other expense (income): Operating Income (Loss) Operating profit Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Minimum Pension Liability Net Adjustment, Net of Tax Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of $85, $17 and $96 tax (expense) benefit for period ended 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively. Minimum pension liability adjustment, tax benefit (expense) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Minimum Pension Liability Net Adjustment, Tax Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other, net Employee Retirement Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Preferred stock, authorized shares Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Proceeds from exercise of stock options Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, plant and equipment, at cost Property, plant and equipment, at cost Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment, net Proved natural gas properties, successful-efforts method Proved Oil and Gas Property, Successful Effort Method Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchase of property, plant and equipment Repayments of revolving credit facilities, net Repayments of Lines of Credit Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayments of term loans Purchase of treasury shares Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchase of treasury shares Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Revenue, Net Total revenues Revenue, Net [Abstract] Revenues Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Business Segments Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Accounting Policies CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Tax benefits related to exercise of stock options Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Treasury Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Property, plant and equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Assets Total assets Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities Stock-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Machinery and equipment Machinery and Equipment, Gross Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Statement [Line Items] Statement Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in financing activities Treasury Stock, Value Less treasury stock, at cost treasury stock, at cost (in dollars) Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets, net Income Per Share of Common Stock Income per share of common stock: Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Other liabilities Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total stockholders' equity Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax expense Preferred stock, $5.00 par value; authorized 500,000 shares; none issued or outstanding Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Additional Paid-In Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Equity Component [Domain] Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock-based compensation Stock-based compensation (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock options exercised, including $29 tax benefit for period ended 2009 (in shares). Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Treasury shares purchased (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease) Comprehensive (Loss) Income Comprehensive Income [Member] Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Treasury shares purchased Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Income Per Share of Common Stock Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation, depletion and amortization Acquisitions Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Nature of Operations [Text Block] Organization Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net Stock options exercised, tax benefit Basis of Presentation Acquisitions Commitments and Contingencies. Income Taxes Inventories Employee Retirement Plans Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) Stock-Based Compensation Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised, Net of Tax Benefit (Expense) Stock options exercised, including $29 tax benefit for period ended 2009. Stock options exercised Basis of Accounting [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies Business Segments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Mark to market of interest rate hedges, net of $83 and $163 tax expense, respectively Other comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Total other comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Mark to market of interest rate hedges, tax expense Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Mark to market of interest rate hedge, tax (expense) benefit Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax Effect