2.0.0.10 false Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) 0120 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) true false In Millions, except Per Share data false false 1 usd $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 2 usd $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 3 usd $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 3 Operating revenues, net of discounts, returns and allowances 1 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 4 Sales of ores and metals 2 us-gaap_RevenueMineralSales us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 true true false false 5758000000 5758 false false false 2 true true false false 5366000000 5366 false false false 3 true true false false 4569000000 4569 false false false Aggregate revenue from the sale of minerals and related products, and from rendering services such as exploration, development, mining, processing and providing mining support activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 false 5 Aluminum products 2 vale_AluminumProducts vale false credit duration monetary Revenue from the sale of aluminum products. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 599000000 599 false false false 2 false true false false 611000000 611 false false false 3 false true false false 442000000 442 false false false Revenue from the sale of aluminum products. No authoritative reference available. false 6 Revenues from logistic services 2 us-gaap_CargoAndFreightRevenue us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 314000000 314 false false false 2 false true false false 307000000 307 false false false 3 false true false false 199000000 199 false false false Revenue from transporting cargo and freight between locations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-AIR -Chapter 3 -Paragraph 4 -IssueDate 2003-05-01 false 7 Other products and services 2 us-gaap_OtherSalesRevenueNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 177000000 177 false false false 2 false true false false 257000000 257 false false false 3 false true false false 211000000 211 false false false Revenues from the sale of other goods or rendering of other services, not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy; net of (reduced by) sales adjustments, returns, allowances, and discounts. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 true 8 Revenues before taxes 2 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 6848000000 6848 false false false 2 false true false false 6541000000 6541 false false false 3 false true false false 5421000000 5421 false false false Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 false 9 Taxes on revenues 2 us-gaap_ExciseAndSalesTaxes us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -244000000 -244 false false false 2 false true false false -208000000 -208 false false false 3 false true false false -97000000 -97 false false false The amount of excise and sales taxes included in sales and revenues, which are then deducted as a cost of sales. Includes excise taxes, which are applied to specific types of transactions or items (such as gasoline or alcohol); and sales, use and value added taxes, which are applied to a broad class of revenue-producing transactions involving a wide range of goods and services. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 06-3 -Paragraph 4 true 10 Net operating revenues 2 vale_NetOperatingRevenues vale false credit duration monetary Net operating revenues. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 6604000000 6604 false false false 2 false true false false 6333000000 6333 false false false 3 false true false false 5324000000 5324 false false false Net operating revenues. No authoritative reference available. true 11 Operating costs and expenses 1 us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 12 Cost of ores and metals sold 2 us-gaap_MineralExtractionProcessingAndMarketingCosts us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -2638000000 -2638 false false false 2 false true false false -2899000000 -2899 false false false 3 false true false false -2169000000 -2169 false false false Costs incurred related to mineral extraction, processing and marketing. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 2 -Article 5 false 13 Cost of aluminum products 2 vale_CostOfAluminumProducts vale false debit duration monetary Costs incurred related to the aluminum production. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -507000000 -507 false false false 2 false true false false -571000000 -571 false false false 3 false true false false -452000000 -452 false false false Costs incurred related to the aluminum production. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Cost of logistic services 2 vale_CostOfLogisticServices vale false debit duration monetary Costs incurred related to the logistic services. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -230000000 -230 false false false 2 false true false false -235000000 -235 false false false 3 false true false false -165000000 -165 false false false Costs incurred related to the logistic services. No authoritative reference available. false 15 Other 2 us-gaap_OtherCostOfOperatingRevenue us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -164000000 -164 false false false 2 false true false false -290000000 -290 false false false 3 false true false false -114000000 -114 false false false Other costs incurred during the reporting period related to other revenue generating activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 2 -Article 5 true 16 Total costs 2 us-gaap_DirectOperatingCosts us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -3539000000 -3539 false false false 2 false true false false -3995000000 -3995 false false false 3 false true false false -2900000000 -2900 false false false The aggregate direct operating costs incurred during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Selling, general and administrative expenses 2 us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -293000000 -293 false false false 2 false true false false -378000000 -378 false false false 3 false true false false -233000000 -233 false false false The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 4 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 4 -Paragraph 5A false 18 Research and development expenses 2 us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -172000000 -172 false false false 2 false true false false -296000000 -296 false false false 3 false true false false -189000000 -189 false false false The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141 -Paragraph 51 -Subparagraph g Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 2 -Paragraph 12, 13 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 86 -Paragraph 11, 12 false 19 Other 2 us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -538000000 -538 false false false 2 false true false false -561000000 -561 false false false 3 false true false false -317000000 -317 false false false The total amount of other operating cost and expense items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing operation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 3 -Article 5 true 20 Total costs and expenses 2 us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -4542000000 -4542 false false false 2 false true false false -5230000000 -5230 false false false 3 false true false false -3639000000 -3639 false false false Total costs of sales and operating expenses for the period. No authoritative reference available. true 21 Operating income 1 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 2062000000 2062 false false false 2 false true false false 1103000000 1103 false false false 3 false true false false 1685000000 1685 false false false The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No authoritative reference available. false 22 Non-operating income (expenses) 1 us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 23 Financial income 2 vale_FinancialIncome vale false credit duration monetary Income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents and financial interest for assets. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 48000000 48 false false false 2 false true false false 65000000 65 false false false 3 false true false false 125000000 125 false false false Income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents and financial interest for assets. No authoritative reference available. false 24 Financial expenses 2 vale_FinancialExpenses vale false debit duration monetary The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest as well as interest expenses for liablities. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -465000000 -465 false false false 2 false true false false -548000000 -548 false false false 3 false true false false -287000000 -287 false false false The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest as well as interest expenses for liablities. No authoritative reference available. false 25 Gains (losses) on derivatives, net 2 us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false -230000000 -230 false false false 2 false true false false 296000000 296 false false false 3 false true false false 18000000 18 false false false Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects. No authoritative reference available. false 26 Foreign exchange and indexation gains (losses), net 2 us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false -30000000 -30 false false false 2 false true false false 17000000 17 false false false 3 false true false false 16000000 16 false false false The aggregate foreign currency transaction gain or loss (both realized and unrealized) included in determining net income for the reporting period. Excludes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements. For certain enterprises, primarily banks, that are dealers in foreign exchange, foreign currency transaction gains or losses may be disclosed as dealer gains or losses. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 52 -Paragraph 30 false 27 Loss on sale of assets 2 us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false true false false -190000000 -190 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false The difference between the sale price or salvage price and the book value of an asset that was sold or retired during the reporting period. This element refers to the gain (loss) and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. There is also a more specific element for realized gain (loss) on the sale of property, plant, and equipment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 true 28 Total non-operating income (expenses) 2 us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false -677000000 -677 false false false 2 false true false false -360000000 -360 false false false 3 false true false false -128000000 -128 false false false The aggregate amount of income (expense) from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Article 5 true 29 Income before discontinued operations, income taxes and equity results 1 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 1385000000 1385 false false false 2 false true false false 743000000 743 false false false 3 false true false false 1557000000 1557 false false false Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income (loss) from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Subparagraph 1(i) -Article 4 true 30 Income taxes 1 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 31 Current 2 us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -249000000 -249 false false false 2 false true false false 583000000 583 false false false 3 false true false false -477000000 -477 false false false The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts of income taxes paid or payable (or refundable) for the period for all income tax obligations as determined by applying the provisions of relevant enacted tax laws to relevant amounts of taxable income (loss) from continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section I -Subsection 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 289 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a false 32 Deferred 2 us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false 488000000 488 false false false 2 false true false false 173000000 173 false false false 3 false true false false 171000000 171 false false false The component of income tax expense for the period representing the net change in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section I -Subsection 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 289 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 true 33 Total income tax 2 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false 239000000 239 false false false 2 false true false false 756000000 756 false false false 3 false true false false -306000000 -306 false false false The sum of the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a, b false 34 Equity in results of affiliates, joint ventures and other investments 1 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 96000000 96 false false false 2 false true false false 71000000 71 false false false 3 false true false false 72000000 72 false false false This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. Such amount typically reflects adjustments similar to those made in preparing consolidated statements, including adjustments to eliminate intercompany gains and losses, and to amortize, if appropriate, any difference between cost and underlying equity in net assets of the investee at the date of investment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph c Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 11 -Article 7 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 9 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph b true 35 Net income from continuing operations 1 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 1720000000 1720 false false false 2 false true false false 1570000000 1570 false false false 3 false true false false 1323000000 1323 false false false This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29 true 36 Discontinued operations, net of tax 1 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false -145000000 -145 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes before deduction or consideration of the amount which may be allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 13 -Article 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 15 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 43 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 47 -Subparagraph c true 37 Net income 1 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 1575000000 1575 false false false 2 false true false false 1570000000 1570 false false false 3 false true false false 1323000000 1323 false false false The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A1, A4, A5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(1) true 38 Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 1 us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -29000000 -29 false false false 2 false true false false 51000000 51 false false false 3 false true false false -40000000 -40 false false false The portion of net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest (if any) deducted in order to derive the portion attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(1) Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A1, A4, A5 true 39 Net income attributable to the Company's stockholders 1 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 true true false false 1604000000 1604 false false false 2 true true false false 1519000000 1519 false false false 3 true true false false 1363000000 1363 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 40 Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Company's stockholders 1 us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 41 Earnings per preferred share 2 vale_EarningsPerPreferredShare vale false na duration decimal The amount of net income or loss for the period per each preferred share outstanding during the reporting period. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 0.29 0.29 false false false 2 true true false false 0.28 0.28 false false false 3 true true false false 0.25 0.25 false false false The amount of net income or loss for the period per each preferred share outstanding during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 42 Earnings per common share 2 vale_EarningsPerCommonShare vale false na duration decimal The amount of net income or loss for the period per each common share outstanding during the reporting period. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 0.29 0.29 false false false 2 true true false false 0.28 0.28 false false false 3 true true false false 0.25 0.25 false false false The amount of net income or loss for the period per each common share outstanding during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 43 Earnings per preferred share linked to convertible mandatorily notes 2 vale_EarningsPerPreferredShareLinkedToConvertibleNote vale false na duration decimal The amount of net income or loss for the period per each preferred share outstanding linked to convertible note during the... false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 0.54 0.54 [1] false false false 2 true true false false 0.52 0.52 [1] false false false 3 true true false false 0.53 0.53 [1] false false false The amount of net income or loss for the period per each preferred share outstanding linked to convertible note during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 44 Earnings per common share linked to convertible mandatorily notes 2 vale_EarningsPerCommonShareLinkedToConvertibleNote vale false na duration decimal The amount of net income or loss for the period per each common share outstanding linked to convertible note during the... false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 0.6 0.6 [1] false false false 2 true true false false 0.59 0.59 [1] false false false 3 true true false false 0.57 0.57 [1] false false false The amount of net income or loss for the period per each common share outstanding linked to convertible note during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 1 Basic earnings per share only, as dilution assumes conversion false 3 42 false Millions UnKnown Hundreds false true