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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 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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, 2008 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 -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 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, 2008 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 9727000000 9727 true false false 3 true true false false 15262000000 15262 true false false 4 true true false false -1141000000 -1141 true false false 5 true true false false 393000000 393 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 -11493000000 -11493 true false false 10 true true false false 17000000 17 true false false 11 true true false false -34000000 -34 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 false false false 13 true true false false 18340000000 18340 true false false 14 true true false false 9616000000 9616 true false false 15 true true false false 1892000000 1892 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 7 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 -10000000 -10 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 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 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 8 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 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 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 9 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 -104000000 -104 true false false 10 false true false false 96000000 96 true false false 11 false true false false -48000000 -48 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 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 10 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 false false false 13 false true false false 173000000 173 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 11 Net income attributable to the Company's stockholders 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 false false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false 1363000000 1363 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false 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 12 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 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 No definition available. false 13 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 false false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -8000000 -8 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 14 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 false false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -18000000 -18 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 15 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 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 No definition available. false 18 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 false false false 13 false false false false 0 0 true false false 14 false true false false -173000000 -173 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 20 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 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 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 true false false 222000000 222 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 22 Net income (loss) 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 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 true false false -40000000 -40 true false false 16 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 false 23 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 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 true false false -1000000 -1 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 24 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 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 true false false 12000000 12 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Capitalization of stockholders advances. No authoritative reference available. false 25 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 -152623603 -152623603.00 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 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 true false false 5212680497 5212680497.00 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 27 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 -152623603 -152623603.00 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 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 true false false 5212680497 5212680497.00 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 26 End of the period at Mar. 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 false true false false 43827000000 43827 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 -1151000000 -1151 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 -11566000000 -11566 true false false 9 false true false false -11597000000 -11597 true false false 10 false true false false 113000000 113 true false false 11 false true false false -82000000 -82 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 false false false 13 false true false false 18513000000 18513 true false false 14 false true false false 10780000000 10780 true false false 15 false true false false 2085000000 2085 true false false 16 false true false false 45912000000 45912 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 6 Beginning of the period, shares at Sep. 30, 2009 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 -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 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 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 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 Sep. 30, 2009 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 false true false false 9727000000 9727 true false false 3 false true false false 15262000000 15262 true false false 4 false true false false -1150000000 -1150 true false false 5 false true false false 411000000 411 true false false 6 false true false false 1578000000 1578 true false false 7 false true false false 1225000000 1225 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 false false false 9 false true false false -2542000000 -2542 true false false 10 false true false false -1000000 -1 true false false 11 false true false false 346000000 346 true false false 12 false true false false 13000000 13 true false false 13 false true false false 24053000000 24053 true false false 14 false true false false 7624000000 7624 true false false 15 false true false false 2798000000 2798 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 9 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 770000000 770 true false false 10 false true false false 1000000 1 true false false 11 false true false false -384000000 -384 true false false 12 false true false false -11000000 -11 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 10 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 4455000000 4455 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 11 Net income attributable to the Company's stockholders 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 1519000000 1519 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false true false false 1519000000 1519 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 12 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 13 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 -19000000 -19 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 14 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 -23000000 -23 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 15 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 16 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 17 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 18 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 -4455000000 -4455 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 19 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 -15000000 -15 true false false 16 false false false false 0 0 false false false Disposals and (acquisitions) of noncontrolling interests. No authoritative reference available. false 20 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 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 79000000 79 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 21 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 -30000000 -30 true false false 16 false true false false -30000000 -30 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 22 Net income (loss) 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 51000000 51 true false false 16 false true false false 51000000 51 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 23 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 -52000000 -52 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 25 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 27 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 26 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 false true false false 56935000000 56935 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 -1150000000 -1150 true false false 5 false true false false 411000000 411 true false false 6 false true false false 1578000000 1578 true false false 7 false true false false 1225000000 1225 true false false 8 false true false false -1808000000 -1808 true false false 9 false true false false -1772000000 -1772 true false false 10 false true false false 0 0 true false false 11 false true false false -38000000 -38 true false false 12 false true false false 2000000 2 true false false 13 false true false false 28508000000 28508 true false false 14 false true false false 3182000000 3182 true false false 15 false true false false 2831000000 2831 true false false 16 false 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 9 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 -390000000 -390 true false false 10 false true false false 2000000 2 true false false 11 false true false false 138000000 138 true false false 12 false true false false -23000000 -23 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 10 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 -633000000 -633 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 11 Net income attributable to the Company's stockholders 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 1604000000 1604 true false false 15 false false false false 0 0 true false false 16 false true false false 1604000000 1604 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 12 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 13 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 -19000000 -19 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 14 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 -23000000 -23 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 15 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 18 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 633000000 633 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 20 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 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 -11000000 -11 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 21 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 4000000 4 true false false 16 false true false false 4000000 4 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 22 Net income (loss) 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 -29000000 -29 true false false 16 false true false false -29000000 -29 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 23 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 -11000000 -11 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 25 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 27 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 26 End of the period at Mar. 31, 2010 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 58224000000 58224 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 -2081000000 -2081 true false false 9 true true false false -2162000000 -2162 true false false 10 true true false false 2000000 2 true false false 11 true true false false 100000000 100 true false false 12 true true false false -21000000 -21 true false false 13 true true false false 27875000000 27875 true false false 14 true true false false 5377000000 5377 true false false 15 true true false false 2784000000 2784 true false false 16 true true false false 61008000000 61008 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 54 false Millions NoRounding UnKnown false true