2.0.0.10 false Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) 0120 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income true false In Millions, except Per Share data false false 1 usd $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 2 usd $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 3 usd $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 3 Operating revenues, net of discounts, returns and allowances 1 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 4 Sales of ores and metals 2 us-gaap_RevenueMineralSales us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 true true false false 19915000000 19915 false false false 2 true true false false 32779000000 32779 false false false 3 true true false false 28441000000 28441 false false false Aggregate revenue from the sale of minerals and related products, and from rendering services such as exploration, development, mining, processing and providing mining support activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 false 5 Aluminum products 2 vale_AluminumProducts vale false credit duration monetary Revenue from the sale of aluminum products. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 2050000000 2050 false false false 2 false true false false 3042000000 3042 false false false 3 false true false false 2722000000 2722 false false false Revenue from the sale of aluminum products. No authoritative reference available. false 6 Revenues from logistic services 2 us-gaap_CargoAndFreightRevenue us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 1104000000 1104 false false false 2 false true false false 1607000000 1607 false false false 3 false true false false 1525000000 1525 false false false Revenue from transporting cargo and freight between locations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-AIR -Chapter 3 -Paragraph 4 -IssueDate 2003-05-01 false 7 Other products and services 2 us-gaap_OtherSalesRevenueNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 870000000 870 false false false 2 false true false false 1081000000 1081 false false false 3 false true false false 427000000 427 false false false Revenues from the sale of other goods or rendering of other services, not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy; net of (reduced by) sales adjustments, returns, allowances, and discounts. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 true 8 Revenues before taxes 2 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 23939000000 23939 false false false 2 false true false false 38509000000 38509 false false false 3 false true false false 33115000000 33115 false false false Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 false 9 Taxes on revenues 2 us-gaap_ExciseAndSalesTaxes us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -628000000 -628 false false false 2 false true false false -1083000000 -1083 false false false 3 false true false false -873000000 -873 false false false The amount of excise and sales taxes included in sales and revenues, which are then deducted as a cost of sales. Includes excise taxes, which are applied to specific types of transactions or items (such as gasoline or alcohol); and sales, use and value added taxes, which are applied to a broad class of revenue-producing transactions involving a wide range of goods and services. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 06-3 -Paragraph 4 true 10 Net operating revenues 2 vale_NetOperatingRevenues vale false credit duration monetary Net operating revenues. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 23311000000 23311 false false false 2 false true false false 37426000000 37426 false false false 3 false true false false 32242000000 32242 false false false Net operating revenues. No authoritative reference available. true 11 Operating costs and expenses 1 us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 12 Cost of ores and metals sold 2 us-gaap_MineralExtractionProcessingAndMarketingCosts us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -10026000000 -10026 false false false 2 false true false false -14055000000 -14055 false false false 3 false true false false -13628000000 -13628 false false false Costs incurred related to mineral extraction, processing and marketing. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 2 -Article 5 false 13 Cost of aluminum products 2 vale_CostOfAluminumProducts vale false debit duration monetary Costs incurred related to the aluminum production. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -2087000000 -2087 false false false 2 false true false false -2267000000 -2267 false false false 3 false true false false -1705000000 -1705 false false false Costs incurred related to the aluminum production. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Cost of logistic services 2 vale_CostOfLogisticServices vale false debit duration monetary Costs incurred related to the logistic services. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -779000000 -779 false false false 2 false true false false -930000000 -930 false false false 3 false true false false -853000000 -853 false false false Costs incurred related to the logistic services. No authoritative reference available. false 15 Other 2 us-gaap_OtherCostOfOperatingRevenue us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -729000000 -729 false false false 2 false true false false -389000000 -389 false false false 3 false true false false -277000000 -277 false false false Other costs incurred during the reporting period related to other revenue generating activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 2 -Article 5 true 16 Total costs 2 us-gaap_DirectOperatingCosts us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -13621000000 -13621 false false false 2 false true false false -17641000000 -17641 false false false 3 false true false false -16463000000 -16463 false false false The aggregate direct operating costs incurred during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Selling, general and administrative expenses 2 us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -1130000000 -1130 false false false 2 false true false false -1748000000 -1748 false false false 3 false true false false -1245000000 -1245 false false false The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 4 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 4 -Paragraph 5A false 18 Research and development expenses 2 us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -981000000 -981 false false false 2 false true false false -1085000000 -1085 false false false 3 false true false false -733000000 -733 false false false The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141 -Paragraph 51 -Subparagraph g Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 2 -Paragraph 12, 13 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 86 -Paragraph 11, 12 false 19 Impairment of goodwill 2 us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false true false false -950000000 -950 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false Loss recognized during the period that results from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph e(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 43 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 47 -Subparagraph b Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 20 false 20 Other 2 us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -1522000000 -1522 false false false 2 false true false false -1254000000 -1254 false false false 3 false true false false -607000000 -607 false false false The total amount of other operating cost and expense items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing operation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 3 -Article 5 true 21 Total costs and expenses 2 us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -17254000000 -17254 false false false 2 false true false false -22678000000 -22678 false false false 3 false true false false -19048000000 -19048 false false false Total costs of sales and operating expenses for the period. No authoritative reference available. true 22 Operating income 1 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 6057000000 6057 false false false 2 false true false false 14748000000 14748 false false false 3 false true false false 13194000000 13194 false false false The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No authoritative reference available. false 23 Non-operating income (expenses) 1 us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 24 Financial income 2 vale_FinancialIncome vale false credit duration monetary Income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents and financial interest for assets. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 381000000 381 false false false 2 false true false false 602000000 602 false false false 3 false true false false 295000000 295 false false false Income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents and financial interest for assets. No authoritative reference available. false 25 Financial expenses 2 vale_FinancialExpenses vale false debit duration monetary The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest as well as interest expenses for liablities. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -1558000000 -1558 false false false 2 false true false false -1765000000 -1765 false false false 3 false true false false -2517000000 -2517 false false false The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest as well as interest expenses for liablities. No authoritative reference available. false 26 Gains (losses) on derivatives, net 2 us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 1528000000 1528 false false false 2 false true false false -812000000 -812 false false false 3 false true false false 931000000 931 false false false Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects. No authoritative reference available. false 27 Foreign exchange and indexation gains (losses), net 2 us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 675000000 675 false false false 2 false true false false 364000000 364 false false false 3 false true false false 2553000000 2553 false false false The aggregate foreign currency transaction gain or loss (both realized and unrealized) included in determining net income for the reporting period. Excludes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements. For certain enterprises, primarily banks, that are dealers in foreign exchange, foreign currency transaction gains or losses may be disclosed as dealer gains or losses. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 52 -Paragraph 30 false 28 Gain (loss) on sale of assets 2 us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 40000000 40 false false false 2 false true false false 80000000 80 false false false 3 false true false false 777000000 777 false false false The difference between the sale price or salvage price and the book value of an asset that was sold or retired during the reporting period. This element refers to the gain (loss) and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. There is also a more specific element for realized gain (loss) on the sale of property, plant, and equipment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 true 29 Total non-operating income (expenses) 2 us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 1066000000 1066 false false false 2 false true false false -1531000000 -1531 false false false 3 false true false false 2039000000 2039 false false false The aggregate amount of income (expense) from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Article 5 true 30 Income before income taxes and equity results 1 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 7123000000 7123 false false false 2 false true false false 13217000000 13217 false false false 3 false true false false 15233000000 15233 false false false Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income (loss) from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Subparagraph 1(i) -Article 4 true 31 Income taxes 1 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 32 Current 2 us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -2084000000 -2084 false false false 2 false true false false -1338000000 -1338 false false false 3 false true false false -3901000000 -3901 false false false The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts of income taxes paid or payable (or refundable) for the period for all income tax obligations as determined by applying the provisions of relevant enacted tax laws to relevant amounts of taxable income (loss) from continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section I -Subsection 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 289 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a false 33 Deferred 2 us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -16000000 -16 false false false 2 false true false false 803000000 803 false false false 3 false true false false 700000000 700 false false false The component of income tax expense for the period representing the net change in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section I -Subsection 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 289 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 true 34 Total income tax 2 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -2100000000 -2100 false false false 2 false true false false -535000000 -535 false false false 3 false true false false -3201000000 -3201 false false false The sum of the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a, b false 35 Equity in results of affiliates, joint ventures and other investments 1 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 433000000 433 false false false 2 false true false false 794000000 794 false false false 3 false true false false 595000000 595 false false false This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. Such amount typically reflects adjustments similar to those made in preparing consolidated statements, including adjustments to eliminate intercompany gains and losses, and to amortize, if appropriate, any difference between cost and underlying equity in net assets of the investee at the date of investment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph c Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 11 -Article 7 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 9 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph b true 36 Net income 1 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 5456000000 5456 false false false 2 false true false false 13476000000 13476 false false false 3 false true false false 12627000000 12627 false false false The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A1, A4, A5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(1) true 37 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1 us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false 107000000 107 false false false 2 false true false false 258000000 258 false false false 3 false true false false 802000000 802 false false false The portion of net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest (if any) deducted in order to derive the portion attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(1) Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A1, A4, A5 true 38 Net income attributable to the stockholders' Company 1 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 true true false false 5349000000 5349 false false false 2 true true false false 13218000000 13218 false false false 3 true true false false 11825000000 11825 false false false The portion of consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 19 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph d Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A7 -Appendix A Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 20 -Article 9 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 10, 15 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 87-21 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28, 29, 30 true 39 Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Company's stockholders 1 us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 40 Earnings per preferred share 2 vale_EarningsPerPreferredShare vale false na duration decimal The amount of net income or loss for the period per each preferred share outstanding during the reporting period. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 0.97 0.97 false false false 2 true true false false 2.58 2.58 false false false 3 true true false false 2.41 2.41 false false false The amount of net income or loss for the period per each preferred share outstanding during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 41 Earnings per common share 2 vale_EarningsPerCommonShare vale false na duration decimal The amount of net income or loss for the period per each common share outstanding during the reporting period. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 0.97 0.97 false false false 2 true true false false 2.58 2.58 false false false 3 true true false false 2.41 2.41 false false false The amount of net income or loss for the period per each common share outstanding during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 42 Earnings per preferred share linked to mandatorily convertible notes 2 vale_EarningsPerPreferredShareLinkedToConvertibleNote vale false na duration decimal The amount of net income or loss for the period per each preferred share outstanding linked to convertible note during the... false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 1.71 1.71 [1] false false false 2 true true false false 4.09 4.09 [1] false false false 3 true true false false 3.3 3.3 [1] false false false The amount of net income or loss for the period per each preferred share outstanding linked to convertible note during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 43 Earnings per common share linked to mandatorily convertible notes 2 vale_EarningsPerCommonShareLinkedToConvertibleNote vale false na duration decimal The amount of net income or loss for the period per each common share outstanding linked to convertible note during the... false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 2.21 2.21 [1] false false false 2 true true false false 4.29 4.29 [1] false false false 3 true true false false 3.51 3.51 [1] false false false The amount of net income or loss for the period per each common share outstanding linked to convertible note during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 1 Basic earnings per share only, as dilution assumes conversion. false 3 41 false Millions UnKnown Hundreds false true