Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification to Interest Expense, before Tax Reclassification to interest expense Before tax amount of the income statement impact of the reclassification adjustment on other comprehensive income (loss) in interest expense. Area of land (in acres) Area of Land Inventory Raw Materials and Finished Goods, Net of Reserves Total Carrying amount, net of valuation reserves and allowances, as of the balance sheet date of raw materials and finished goods. Debt Instrument, Amortization Period Represents the amortization period of the debt instrument. Amortization period of debt instrument Debt Instrument, Maturity Term Represents the term of the debt agreement. Term Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Base [Axis] The alternative reference rates that may be used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Base [Domain] Identification of the reference rate that is used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. Debt Instrument, Variable Rate LIBOR [Member] Represents the London Interbank Offer Rate used to calculate the variable rate of the debt instrument. LIBOR Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Prime [Member] Represents the lender's prime rate used to calculate the variable rate of the debt instrument. Lender's prime rate Derivative Reference Rate Represents the reference rate for the variable rate of the interest rate derivative. LIBOR (as a percent) Draw Term Loan [Member] Represents the information pertaining to multiple draw term loan which is provided under the credit agreement. Draw Term Loan Amendment Description Long Term, Debt Maturities, Final Principal Payment Represents the final principal payment required to settle a long-term debt obligation. Final principal payment Amendment Flag Seventy Five Percent of Outstanding Balance of Draw Term Loan [Member] Represents the information pertaining to 75 percent of the outstanding balance of the draw term loan. 75% the outstanding balance of the Draw Term Loan Term Loan [Member] Represents the information pertaining to term loan which is provided under the credit agreement. Term Loan Twenty Five Percent of Outstanding Balance of Draw Term Loan [Member] Represents the information pertaining to 25 percent of the outstanding balance of the draw term loan. 25% the outstanding balance of the Draw Term Loan Banking Facilities 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 Revenue related to the royalty and non-operating working interests in wells drilled on the land and also quantity of natural gas developed and produced from the oil and gas properties. Labor and Other Operating Expenses [Abstract] Labor and other operating expenses Labor and Other Operating Expenses Lime and Limestone Operations 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. New Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements Disclosure [Text Block] Represents the entire disclosure pertaining to the new accounting pronouncements. New Accounting Pronouncements Current Fiscal Year End Date Banking Facilities and Other Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Banking Facilities This element represent banking facilities and other debt. Supplementary Financial Information for Oil and Gas Producing Activities Supplemental Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block] Supplementary Financial Information for Oil and Gas Producing Activities This element represents the entire 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. Document Period End Date 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 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. 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 Organization [Table] The table contains disclosure pertaining to an organization. Entity [Domain] Agreement Type [Axis] Information by type of agreement. Agreement Type [Domain] Categorization of agreement by agreement type. Drillsite Agreement [Member] Drillsite Agreement Represents the information related to drillsite and production facility lease agreement and subsurface easement. Organization [Line Items] Organization Percentage of Royalty Interest Percentage of royalty interest Represents the percentage of royalty interest. Percentage of Non Operating Working Interest Percentage of non-operating working interest Represents the percentage of non-operating working interest. Percentage of Overall Average Revenue Interest Overall average revenue interest (as a percent) Represents the percentage of overall average revenue interest. Number of Wells Drilled Number of wells drilled Represents the number of wells drilled. Revenue External Freight Billed to Customers External freight billed to customer included in revenue Represents the amount of external freight billed to customer included in revenue for the period. Lime and Limestone Operations [Member] Lime and limestone operations Represents the lime and limestone operations segment of the entity. Natural Gas Interests [Member] Natural gas interests Represents the natural gas interests segment of the entity. Cash Flow Approach Valuation Technique [Member] Cash flows approach Cash flow approach valuation technique used to measure fair value. Accounting Policies 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 Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Legal Entity [Axis] Document Type Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade receivables, net Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of tax benefit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax Mark-to-market of interest rate hedges, net of tax benefit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation and depletion Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-In Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Capital expenditures Segment Reporting Information, Expenditures for Additions to Long-Lived Assets Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net Stock options exercised, tax benefit 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: Amortization of Financing Costs Amortization of deferred financing costs Anti-dilutive shares of common stock excluded from the calculation of dilutive securities Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Anti-dilutive securities Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets, Current Total current assets Assets Total assets Basis of Accounting [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Acquisitions Acquisitions Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] 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 Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Balances (in shares) Balances (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, authorized shares Common Stock, Shares Authorized Employee Retirement Plans Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive (loss) income Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] Comprehensive (Loss) Income Comprehensive Income [Member] Cost of Goods and Services Sold Total cost of revenues Cost of Goods and Services Sold, Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation, depletion and amortization Cost of Goods and Services Sold [Abstract] Cost of revenues: Interest rate basis Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis Banking facilities Debt Instrument [Line Items] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Interest rate margin (as a percent) Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Maximum borrowing capacity Debt Instrument, Face Amount Quarterly principal payments Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal Interest rate during the period (as a percent) Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Deferred tax liabilities, net Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization expense Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation, depletion and amortization Interest rate swap liabilities included in accrued expenses Derivative Liabilities, Current Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Interest rate swap liabilities included in other liabilities Derivative Liabilities, Noncurrent Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Stock-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted (in dollars per share) Income per share of common stock: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Income Per Share of Common Stock Income Per Share of Common Stock Income per share of common stock: Effective income tax rate (as a percent) Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations Equity Component [Domain] Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Fair value Excess Tax Benefit (Tax Deficiency) from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Tax benefits related to exercise of stock options Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Recurring Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Values of Financial Instruments Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Values of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] Schedule of the entity's financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Successful-Efforts Method Used for Natural Gas Interests Full Cost or Successful Efforts, Policy [Policy Text Block] Furniture and fixtures Furniture and Fixtures, Gross Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Loss on disposition of property, plant and equipment Gross Profit Gross profit Gross profit CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Taxes Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax expense Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Trade receivables Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Employee and director stock options Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements Interest Expense Interest expense Interest rate hedges Interest Rate Derivatives [Abstract] Interest rate swap liabilities Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value Interest rate swap liabilities Interest rate swaps Interest Rate Swap [Member] Lime and limestone inventories: Inventory, Net [Abstract] Finished goods Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves Raw materials Inventory, Raw Materials, Net of Reserves Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories Total inventories Inventory, Net Inventories Inventories Letters of credit outstanding Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount Revolving Facility Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] O & G Lease Lease Agreements [Member] Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Commitment fee (as a percent) Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage Summary of outstanding debt Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract] Debt Long-term Debt Less current installments Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Current installments of debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Debt, excluding current installments Machinery and equipment Machinery and Equipment, Gross Maximum Maximum [Member] Minimum Minimum [Member] Nature of Operations [Text Block] Organization Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] 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 Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in investing activities Net income Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net income Income for basic and diluted income per common share (in dollars) Numerator: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in financing activities Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other expense (income) Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other expense (income): Number of business segments Number of Operating Segments Operating Income (Loss) Operating profit Basis of Presentation Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets, net Deferred tax (expense) benefit Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Mark-to-market of interest rate hedges Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, before Tax Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other, net Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities Service parts inventories Other Inventory, Net of Reserves Components of comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other comprehensive income Total other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Mark-to-market of interest rate hedges, net of tax expenses (benefit) of $59 and ($106), respectively, for the quarters, and $193 and ($33), respectively, for the nine month periods Mark-to-market of interest rate hedges, tax expenses (benefit) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Quarterly settlement payment pursuant to hedges Payments for Hedge, Investing Activities Purchase of treasury shares Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchase of treasury shares Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchase of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisitions of businesses Employee Retirement Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Percentage of outstanding balance of debt hedged Percentage of Debt Hedged by Interest Rate Derivatives Preferred stock, $5.00 par value; authorized 500,000 shares; none issued or outstanding Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, authorized shares Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets 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: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, plant and equipment, at cost Property, plant and equipment, at cost Proved natural gas properties, successful-efforts method Proved Oil and Gas Property, Successful Effort Method Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Repayments of revolving credit facilities, net Repayments of Lines of Credit Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayments of term loans Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revolving Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Revenue, Net Revenues Total revenues Revenue, Net [Abstract] Revenues Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Schedule of components of comprehensive income Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Schedule of computation of basic and diluted income per common share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Schedule of inventories Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive loss Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Summary of outstanding debt Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of operating results and certain other financial data for the Company's business segments Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Business segments Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Business Segments Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Business Segments Segment [Domain] Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Accounting Policies Statement [Table] Scenario [Axis] Statement [Line Items] Statement Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Business Segments [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease) 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 Options Stock Options [Member] Stock-based compensation (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock-based compensation 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 Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total stockholders' equity Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) U.S.Lime O & G Subsidiaries [Member] Treasury Stock, Value Less treasury stock, at cost treasury stock, at cost (in dollars) Treasury shares purchased (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Treasury shares purchased Valuation Technique [Axis] Valuation Technique [Domain] Effect of dilutive securities: Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment [Abstract] Denominator: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Reconciliation [Abstract] Weighted-average shares for basic income per share Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed exercises for diluted income per share Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted