2.0.0.10 false Subsequent events 0221 - Disclosure - Subsequent events true false false false 1 usd $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 2 Subsequent events [Abstract] 0 vale_SubsequentEventsAbstract vale false na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 3 Subsequent events 1 us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsequentEventsTextBlock us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0   <div style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; text-align: left"> <tr valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent"> <td width="3%" nowrap="nowrap" align="left"><b>21</b></td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td><b>Subsequent events</b></td> </tr> </table> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; text-align: left"> <tr valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent"> <td width="3%" nowrap="nowrap" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td>For US $2,500, we acquired 51% interest on BSG Resources (Guinea) Ltd., which indirectly holds iron ore concession rights in Simandou South (Zogota), Guinea and iron ore exploration permits in Simandou North. From this amount, US$500 is payable immediately and the remaining US$2 billion on a phased basis upon achievement of specific milestones.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-size: 6pt"> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent"> <td width="3%" nowrap="nowrap" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td>In connection with our strategy of active portfolio asset management, we entered into an agreement with Norsk Hydro ASA (Hydro), to transfer all our stakes in Albras — Alumínio Brasileiro S.A. (Albras), Alunorte — Alumina do Norte do Brasil S.A. (Alunorte) and Companhia de Alumina do Pará (CAP), and 60% of the Paragominas bauxite mine and all its other Brazilian bauxite mineral rights. For this transactions we will receive US $1 billion in cash and 22% of Hydro’s capital. In 2013 and 2015, we will sell the remaining 40% of Paragominas bauxite mine and other Brazilian bauxite mineral rights, for US $400.</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div>  <!-- Begin Block Tagged Note false false false Describes disclosed significant events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date, but before the issuance of the financial statements. Examples include: the sale of a capital stock issue, purchase of a business, settlement of litigation, losses resulting from fire or flood, losses on receivables, significant realized and unrealized gains and losses that result from changes in quoted market prices of securities, declines in market prices of inventory, changes in authorized or issued debt (SEC), significant foreign exchange rate changes, substantial loans to insiders or affiliates, significant long-term investments, and substantial dividends not in the ordinary course of business. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 11 false false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true