2.0.0.10 true Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $) 0140 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity true false In Millions, except Share data false false 1 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_ParentMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_ParentMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 2 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_PreferredStockMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_PreferredStockMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 3 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_CommonStockMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_CommonStockMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 4 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 5 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 6 usd $ true false false false vale_MandatorilyConvertibleNotesCommonSharesMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi vale_MandatorilyConvertibleNotesCommonSharesMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 7 usd $ true false false false vale_MandatorilyConvertibleNotesPreferredSharesMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi vale_MandatorilyConvertibleNotesPreferredSharesMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 8 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 9 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 10 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 11 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 12 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 13 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAppropriatedMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAppropriatedMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 14 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_RetainedEarningsUnappropriatedMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_RetainedEarningsUnappropriatedMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 15 usd $ true false false false us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 16 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 6 Beginning of the period, shares at Dec. 31, 2006 3 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false true false false false false true false false periodstartlabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false true false false -86927072 -86927072.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 false false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 false false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Number of shares of stock issued as of the balance sheet date, including shares that had been issued and were previously outstanding but which are now held in the treasury. No authoritative reference available. false 5 Beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2006 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false false false true false false periodstartlabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 true true false false 4702000000 4702 true false false 3 true true false false 3806000000 3806 true false false 4 true true false false -389000000 -389 true false false 5 true true false false 498000000 498 true false false 6 true true false false 1288000000 1288 true false false 7 true true false false 581000000 581 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 false false false 9 true true false false -1628000000 -1628 true false false 10 true true false false 271000000 271 true false false 11 true true false false 353000000 353 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 false false false 13 true true false false 9555000000 9555 true false false 14 true true false false 2505000000 2505 true false false 15 true true false false 2465000000 2465 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 25 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 26 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A false 8 Transfer from undistributed retained earnings 3 vale_TransferFromUndistributedRetainedEarnings vale false credit duration monetary Transfer from to undistributed retained earnings. false false false false false false false false false false false label false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false true false false 251000000 251 true false false 3 false true false false 3936000000 3936 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Transfer from to undistributed retained earnings. No authoritative reference available. false 11 Change in the period 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false true false false 2968000000 2968 true false false 10 false true false false -60000000 -60 true false false 11 false true false false -278000000 -278 true false false 12 false true false false 29000000 29 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Net change in stockholders' equity during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 false 12 Transfer from/to unappropriated retained earnings 3 vale_TransferFromToUnappropriatedRetainedEarnings vale false credit duration monetary Transfer from to unappropriated retained earnings. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false true false false 9949000000 9949 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Transfer from to unappropriated retained earnings. No authoritative reference available. false 13 Capitalized earnings 3 vale_CapitalizedEarnings vale false credit duration monetary Capital increase through undistributed retained earnings. false false false false false false false false false false false label false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false true false false -4187000000 -4187 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Capital increase through undistributed retained earnings. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Net income attributable to the stockholders' Company 3 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 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false 11825000000 11825 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false 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 15 Interest on mandatorily convertible debt 3 vale_InterestOnMandatorilyConvertibleDebtAbstract vale false 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 16 Preferred class A stock 4 vale_PreferredClassStockInterestOnMandatorilyConvertibleDebt vale false debit duration monetary Preferred class A stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -22000000 -22 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Preferred class A stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Common stock 4 vale_CommonStockInterestOnMandatorilyConvertibleDebt vale false debit duration monetary Common stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -45000000 -45 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Common stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. No authoritative reference available. false 18 Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders' equity 3 vale_DividendsAndInterestAttributedToStockholdersEquityAbstract vale false 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 19 Preferred class A stock 4 vale_PreferredClassStockDividendsAndInterestAttributedToStockholdersEquity vale false debit duration monetary Preferred class A stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -1049000000 -1049 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Preferred class A stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. No authoritative reference available. false 20 Common stock 4 vale_CommonStockDividendsAndInterestAttributedToStockholdersEquity vale false debit duration monetary Common stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -1634000000 -1634 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Common stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. No authoritative reference available. false 21 Appropriation from/to undistributed retained earnings 3 vale_AppropriationFromToUndistributedRetainedEarnings vale false credit duration monetary Appropriation from to undistributed retained earnings. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -9949000000 -9949 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Appropriation from to undistributed retained earnings. No authoritative reference available. false 22 Disposals and (acquisitions) of noncontrolling interests 3 vale_DisposalsAndAcquisitionsOfNoncontrollingInterests vale false credit duration monetary Disposals and (acquisitions) of noncontrolling interests. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false -817000000 -817 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Disposals and (acquisitions) of noncontrolling interests. No authoritative reference available. false 23 Cumulative translation adjustments 3 vale_CumulativeTranslationAdjustmentsNoncontrollingInterests vale false debit duration monetary Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into... false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false -333000000 -333 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interest. No authoritative reference available. false 24 Cash flow hedge 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false 21000000 21 true false false 16 false true false false 21000000 21 false false false Net of tax effect change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges after taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interest. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk. The change includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29, 30 false 25 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 3 us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false 802000000 802 true false false 16 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 false 26 Dividends and interest attributable to noncontrolling interests 3 us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false -700000000 -700 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions to noncontrolling interest holders. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(2) false 27 Capitalization of stockholders advances 3 vale_CapitalizationOfStockholdersAdvances vale false credit duration monetary Capitalization of stockholders advances. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false 76000000 76 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Capitalization of stockholders advances. No authoritative reference available. false 28 Sales, shares 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesTreasuryStockReissued us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false true false false 3888 3888.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Number of treasury shares reissued during the period. Upon reissuance, these are common and preferred shares outstanding. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 false 29 Total number of shares 3 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false true false false 1919516400 1919516400.00 true false false 3 false true false false 2999797716 2999797716.00 true false false 4 false true false false -86923184 -86923184.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false true false false 4832390932 4832390932.00 false false false Number of shares of stock issued as of the balance sheet date, including shares that had been issued and were previously outstanding but which are now held in the treasury. No authoritative reference available. false 31 End of the period, shares 3 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false true false false 1919516400 1919516400.00 true false false 3 false true false false 2999797716 2999797716.00 true false false 4 false true false false -86923184 -86923184.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false true false false 4832390932 4832390932.00 false false false Number of shares of stock issued as of the balance sheet date, including shares that had been issued and were previously outstanding but which are now held in the treasury. No authoritative reference available. false 30 End of the period at Dec. 31, 2007 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false false false false true false periodendlabel false 1 false true false false 33276000000 33276 true false false 2 false true false false 4953000000 4953 true false false 3 false true false false 7742000000 7742 true false false 4 false true false false -389000000 -389 true false false 5 false true false false 498000000 498 true false false 6 false true false false 1288000000 1288 true false false 7 false true false false 581000000 581 true false false 8 false true false false 1655000000 1655 true false false 9 false true false false 1340000000 1340 true false false 10 false true false false 211000000 211 true false false 11 false true false false 75000000 75 true false false 12 false true false false 29000000 29 true false false 13 false true false false 15317000000 15317 true false false 14 false true false false 1631000000 1631 true false false 15 false true false false 2180000000 2180 true false false 16 false true false false 35456000000 35456 false false false Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 25 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 26 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A false 7 Capital increase 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false true false false 4774000000 4774 true false false 3 false true false false 7520000000 7520 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Value of new stock issued during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30, 31 -Article 5 false 9 Acquisitions 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false true false false -752000000 -752 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Cost of common and preferred stock that were repurchased during the period. Recorded using the cost method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 1 -Section B -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph b false 10 Acquisitions, shares 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false true false false -64869259 -64869259.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and are being held in treasury. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5 false 11 Change in the period 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false true false false -105000000 -105 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false true false false -12833000000 -12833 true false false 10 false true false false -194000000 -194 true false false 11 false true false false -109000000 -109 true false false 12 false true false false -29000000 -29 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Net change in stockholders' equity during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 false 12 Transfer from/to unappropriated retained earnings 3 vale_TransferFromToUnappropriatedRetainedEarnings vale false credit duration monetary Transfer from to unappropriated retained earnings. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false true false false 3023000000 3023 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Transfer from to unappropriated retained earnings. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Net income attributable to the stockholders' Company 3 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 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false 13218000000 13218 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false true false false 13218000000 13218 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 15 Interest on mandatorily convertible debt 3 vale_InterestOnMandatorilyConvertibleDebtAbstract vale false 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 16 Preferred class A stock 4 vale_PreferredClassStockInterestOnMandatorilyConvertibleDebt vale false debit duration monetary Preferred class A stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -46000000 -46 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Preferred class A stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Common stock 4 vale_CommonStockInterestOnMandatorilyConvertibleDebt vale false debit duration monetary Common stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -96000000 -96 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Common stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. No authoritative reference available. false 18 Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders' equity 3 vale_DividendsAndInterestAttributedToStockholdersEquityAbstract vale false 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 19 Preferred class A stock 4 vale_PreferredClassStockDividendsAndInterestAttributedToStockholdersEquity vale false debit duration monetary Preferred class A stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -806000000 -806 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Preferred class A stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. No authoritative reference available. false 20 Common stock 4 vale_CommonStockDividendsAndInterestAttributedToStockholdersEquity vale false debit duration monetary Common stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -1262000000 -1262 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Common stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. No authoritative reference available. false 21 Appropriation from/to undistributed retained earnings 3 vale_AppropriationFromToUndistributedRetainedEarnings vale false credit duration monetary Appropriation from to undistributed retained earnings. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -3023000000 -3023 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Appropriation from to undistributed retained earnings. No authoritative reference available. false 23 Cumulative translation adjustments 3 vale_CumulativeTranslationAdjustmentsNoncontrollingInterests vale false debit duration monetary Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into... false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false 445000000 445 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interest. No authoritative reference available. false 24 Cash flow hedge 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false -21000000 -21 true false false 16 false true false false -21000000 -21 false false false Net of tax effect change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges after taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interest. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk. The change includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29, 30 false 25 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 3 us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false 258000000 258 true false false 16 false true false false 258000000 258 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 false 26 Dividends and interest attributable to noncontrolling interests 3 us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false -137000000 -137 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions to noncontrolling interest holders. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(2) false 27 Capitalization of stockholders advances 3 vale_CapitalizationOfStockholdersAdvances vale false credit duration monetary Capitalization of stockholders advances. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false 57000000 57 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Capitalization of stockholders advances. No authoritative reference available. false 28 Sales, shares 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesTreasuryStockReissued us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false true false false 240 240.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Number of treasury shares reissued during the period. Upon reissuance, these are common and preferred shares outstanding. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 false 29 Total number of shares 3 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false true false false 2108579618 2108579618.00 true false false 3 false true false false 3256724482 3256724482.00 true false false 4 false true false false -151792203 -151792203.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false true false false 5213511897 5213511897.00 false false false Number of shares of stock issued as of the balance sheet date, including shares that had been issued and were previously outstanding but which are now held in the treasury. No authoritative reference available. false 31 End of the period, shares 3 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false true false false 2108579618 2108579618.00 true false false 3 false true false false 3256724482 3256724482.00 true false false 4 false true false false -151792203 -151792203.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false true false false 5213511897 5213511897.00 false false false Number of shares of stock issued as of the balance sheet date, including shares that had been issued and were previously outstanding but which are now held in the treasury. No authoritative reference available. false 30 End of the period at Dec. 31, 2008 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false false false false true false periodendlabel false 1 false true false false 42556000000 42556 true false false 2 false true false false 9727000000 9727 true false false 3 false true false false 15262000000 15262 true false false 4 false true false false -1141000000 -1141 true false false 5 false true false false 393000000 393 true false false 6 false true false false 1288000000 1288 true false false 7 false true false false 581000000 581 true false false 8 false true false false -11510000000 -11510 true false false 9 false true false false -11493000000 -11493 true false false 10 false true false false 17000000 17 true false false 11 false true false false -34000000 -34 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false true false false 18340000000 18340 true false false 14 false true false false 9616000000 9616 true false false 15 false true false false 1892000000 1892 true false false 16 false true false false 44448000000 44448 false false false Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 25 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 26 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A false 9 Acquisitions 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false true false false -9000000 -9 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Cost of common and preferred stock that were repurchased during the period. Recorded using the cost method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 1 -Section B -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph b false 10 Acquisitions, shares 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false true false false -831400 -831400.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and are being held in treasury. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5 false 11 Change in the period 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false true false false 18000000 18 true false false 6 false true false false 290000000 290 true false false 7 false true false false 644000000 644 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false true false false 9721000000 9721 true false false 10 false true false false -17000000 -17 true false false 11 false true false false -4000000 -4 true false false 12 false true false false 2000000 2 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Net change in stockholders' equity during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 false 12 Transfer from/to unappropriated retained earnings 3 vale_TransferFromToUnappropriatedRetainedEarnings vale false credit duration monetary Transfer from to unappropriated retained earnings. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false true false false 10168000000 10168 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Transfer from to unappropriated retained earnings. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Net income attributable to the stockholders' Company 3 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 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false 5349000000 5349 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false true false false 5349000000 5349 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 15 Interest on mandatorily convertible debt 3 vale_InterestOnMandatorilyConvertibleDebtAbstract vale false 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 16 Preferred class A stock 4 vale_PreferredClassStockInterestOnMandatorilyConvertibleDebt vale false debit duration monetary Preferred class A stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -58000000 -58 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Preferred class A stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Common stock 4 vale_CommonStockInterestOnMandatorilyConvertibleDebt vale false debit duration monetary Common stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -93000000 -93 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Common stock Interest on mandatorily convertible debt. No authoritative reference available. false 18 Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders' equity 3 vale_DividendsAndInterestAttributedToStockholdersEquityAbstract vale false 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 19 Preferred class A stock 4 vale_PreferredClassStockDividendsAndInterestAttributedToStockholdersEquity vale false debit duration monetary Preferred class A stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -570000000 -570 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Preferred class A stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. No authoritative reference available. false 20 Common stock 4 vale_CommonStockDividendsAndInterestAttributedToStockholdersEquity vale false debit duration monetary Common stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -894000000 -894 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Common stock Dividends and interest attributed to stockholders equity. No authoritative reference available. false 21 Appropriation from/to undistributed retained earnings 3 vale_AppropriationFromToUndistributedRetainedEarnings vale false credit duration monetary Appropriation from to undistributed retained earnings. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -10168000000 -10168 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Appropriation from to undistributed retained earnings. No authoritative reference available. false 22 Disposals and (acquisitions) of noncontrolling interests 3 vale_DisposalsAndAcquisitionsOfNoncontrollingInterests vale false credit duration monetary Disposals and (acquisitions) of noncontrolling interests. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false 83000000 83 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Disposals and (acquisitions) of noncontrolling interests. No authoritative reference available. false 23 Cumulative translation adjustments 3 vale_CumulativeTranslationAdjustmentsNoncontrollingInterests vale false debit duration monetary Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into... false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false -823000000 -823 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interest. No authoritative reference available. false 24 Cash flow hedge 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false -18000000 -18 true false false 16 false true false false -18000000 -18 false false false Net of tax effect change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges after taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interest. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk. The change includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29, 30 false 25 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 3 us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 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 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false 107000000 107 true false false 16 false true false false 107000000 107 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 false 26 Dividends and interest attributable to noncontrolling interests 3 us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false true false false -56000000 -56 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions to noncontrolling interest holders. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(2) false 28 Sales, shares 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesTreasuryStockReissued us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false true false false 43800 43800.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Number of treasury shares reissued during the period. Upon reissuance, these are common and preferred shares outstanding. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 false 29 Total number of shares 3 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false true false false 2108579618 2108579618.00 true false false 3 false true false false 3256724482 3256724482.00 true false false 4 false true false false -152579803 -152579803.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false true false false 5212724297 5212724297.00 false false false Number of shares of stock issued as of the balance sheet date, including shares that had been issued and were previously outstanding but which are now held in the treasury. No authoritative reference available. false 31 End of the period, shares 3 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 true false false 2 false true false false 2108579618 2108579618.00 true false false 3 false true false false 3256724482 3256724482.00 true false false 4 false true false false -152579803 -152579803.00 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false false false false 0 0 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false true false false 5212724297 5212724297.00 false false false Number of shares of stock issued as of the balance sheet date, including shares that had been issued and were previously outstanding but which are now held in the treasury. No authoritative reference available. false 30 End of the period at Dec. 31, 2009 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false false false false true false periodendlabel false 1 true true false false 56935000000 56935 true false false 2 true true false false 9727000000 9727 true false false 3 true true false false 15262000000 15262 true false false 4 true true false false -1150000000 -1150 true false false 5 true true false false 411000000 411 true false false 6 true true false false 1578000000 1578 true false false 7 true true false false 1225000000 1225 true false false 8 true true false false -1808000000 -1808 true false false 9 true true false false -1772000000 -1772 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 true true false false -38000000 -38 true false false 12 true true false false 2000000 2 true false false 13 true true false false 28508000000 28508 true false false 14 true true false false 3182000000 3182 true false false 15 true true false false 2831000000 2831 true false false 16 true true false false 59766000000 59766 false false false Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 25 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 26 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A false false 16 67 false Millions NoRounding UnKnown false true