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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(a)


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration
Statements of Harsco Corporation and Subsidiary Companies (the "Company") of our
report, dated January 30, 1997, on our audits, of the consolidated financial
statements and consolidated financial statement schedule of the Company as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996, which reports are included in this Annual Report on Form
10-K, respectively:

- -    Post Effective Amendment No. 6 to Form S-8 Registration Statement
     (Registration No. 2-57876), effective May 21, 1982.

- -    Post Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-8 Registration Statement
     (Registration No. 33-5300), dated March 26, 1987.

- -    Form S-8 Registration Statement (Registration No. 33-14064), dated May 6,
     1987.

- -    Amendment No. 2 to Form S-8 Registration Statement (Registration No.
     33-24854), dated October 31, 1988.

- -    Form S-3 Registration Statement (Registration No. 33-56885) dated December
     15, 1994.

- -    Form S-8 Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-13175), dated October
     1, 1996.

- -    Form S-8 Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-13173), dated October
     1, 1996.

COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 24, 1997