2.2.0.7 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 $ false 4 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 5 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 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 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false 5 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 4 Sales of ores and metals 2 us-gaap_RevenueMineralSales us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 true true false false 8402000000 8402 false false false 2 true true false false 5693000000 5693 false false false 3 true true false false 4035000000 4035 false false false 4 true true false false 14095000000 14095 false false false 5 true true false false 8539000000 8539 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 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 655000000 655 false false false 2 false true false false 599000000 599 false false false 3 false true false false 468000000 468 false false false 4 false true false false 1254000000 1254 false false false 5 false true false false 910000000 910 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 409000000 409 false false false 2 false true false false 314000000 314 false false false 3 false true false false 281000000 281 false false false 4 false true false false 723000000 723 false false false 5 false true false false 480000000 480 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 Fertilizer products 2 vale_FertilizerProducts vale false credit duration Revenue from the sale of fertilizer products. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 210000000 210 false false false 2 false true false false 65000000 65 false false false 3 false true false false 121000000 121 false false false 4 false true false false 275000000 275 false false false 5 false true false false 186000000 186 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Revenue from the sale of fertilizer products. No authoritative reference available. false 8 Other products and services 2 us-gaap_OtherSalesRevenueNet us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 254000000 254 false false false 2 false true false false 177000000 177 false false false 3 false true false false 179000000 179 false false false 4 false true false false 431000000 431 false false false 5 false true false false 390000000 390 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 9 Revenues before taxes 2 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 9930000000 9930 false false false 2 false true false false 6848000000 6848 false false false 3 false true false false 5084000000 5084 false false false 4 false true false false 16778000000 16778 false false false 5 false true false false 10505000000 10505 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 10 Taxes on revenues 2 us-gaap_ExciseAndSalesTaxes us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -272000000 -272 false false false 2 false true false false -244000000 -244 false false false 3 false true false false -136000000 -136 false false false 4 false true false false -516000000 -516 false false false 5 false true false false -233000000 -233 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 11 Net operating revenues 2 vale_NetOperatingRevenues vale false credit duration Net operating revenues. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 9658000000 9658 false false false 2 false true false false 6604000000 6604 false false false 3 false true false false 4948000000 4948 false false false 4 false true false false 16262000000 16262 false false false 5 false true false false 10272000000 10272 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Net operating revenues. No authoritative reference available. true 12 Operating costs and expenses 1 us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract us-gaap true na duration 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 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false 5 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 13 Cost of ores and metals sold 2 us-gaap_MineralExtractionProcessingAndMarketingCosts us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -2965000000 -2965 false false false 2 false true false false -2600000000 -2600 false false false 3 false true false false -2254000000 -2254 false false false 4 false true false false -5565000000 -5565 false false false 5 false true false false -4400000000 -4400 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 14 Cost of aluminum products 2 vale_CostOfAluminumProducts vale false debit duration 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 -545000000 -545 false false false 2 false true false false -507000000 -507 false false false 3 false true false false -529000000 -529 false false false 4 false true false false -1052000000 -1052 false false false 5 false true false false -981000000 -981 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Costs incurred related to the aluminum production. No authoritative reference available. false 15 Cost of logistic services 2 vale_CostOfLogisticServices vale false debit duration 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 -262000000 -262 false false false 2 false true false false -230000000 -230 false false false 3 false true false false -178000000 -178 false false false 4 false true false false -492000000 -492 false false false 5 false true false false -343000000 -343 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Costs incurred related to the logistic services. No authoritative reference available. false 16 Cost of fertilizer products 2 vale_CostOfFertilizerProducts vale false debit duration Costs incurred related to the fertilizer production. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -175000000 -175 false false false 2 false true false false -38000000 -38 false false false 3 false true false false -41000000 -41 false false false 4 false true false false -213000000 -213 false false false 5 false true false false -64000000 -64 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Costs incurred related to the fertilizer production. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Other 2 us-gaap_OtherCostOfOperatingRevenue us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -175000000 -175 false false false 2 false true false false -164000000 -164 false false false 3 false true false false -133000000 -133 false false false 4 false true false false -339000000 -339 false false false 5 false true false false -247000000 -247 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 18 Total costs 2 us-gaap_DirectOperatingCosts us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -4122000000 -4122 false false false 2 false true false false -3539000000 -3539 false false false 3 false true false false -3135000000 -3135 false false false 4 false true false false -7661000000 -7661 false false false 5 false true false false -6035000000 -6035 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The aggregate direct operating costs incurred during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 19 Selling, general and administrative expenses 2 us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -343000000 -343 false false false 2 false true false false -293000000 -293 false false false 3 false true false false -230000000 -230 false false false 4 false true false false -636000000 -636 false false false 5 false true false false -463000000 -463 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 20 Research and development expenses 2 us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -189000000 -189 false false false 2 false true false false -172000000 -172 false false false 3 false true false false -265000000 -265 false false false 4 false true false false -361000000 -361 false false false 5 false true false false -454000000 -454 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 21 Other 2 us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -374000000 -374 false false false 2 false true false false -538000000 -538 false false false 3 false true false false -342000000 -342 false false false 4 false true false false -912000000 -912 false false false 5 false true false false -659000000 -659 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 22 Total costs and expenses 2 us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -5028000000 -5028 false false false 2 false true false false -4542000000 -4542 false false false 3 false true false false -3972000000 -3972 false false false 4 false true false false -9570000000 -9570 false false false 5 false true false false -7611000000 -7611 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Total costs of sales and operating expenses for the period. No authoritative reference available. true 23 Operating income 1 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 4630000000 4630 false false false 2 false true false false 2062000000 2062 false false false 3 false true false false 976000000 976 false false false 4 false true false false 6692000000 6692 false false false 5 false true false false 2661000000 2661 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No authoritative reference available. false 24 Non-operating income (expenses) 1 us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract us-gaap true na duration 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 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false 5 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 25 Financial income 2 vale_FinancialIncome vale false credit duration 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 69000000 69 false false false 2 false true false false 48000000 48 false false false 3 false true false false 93000000 93 false false false 4 false true false false 117000000 117 false false false 5 false true false false 218000000 218 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents and financial interest for assets. No authoritative reference available. false 26 Financial expenses 2 vale_FinancialExpenses vale false debit duration 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 -514000000 -514 false false false 2 false true false false -465000000 -465 false false false 3 false true false false -293000000 -293 false false false 4 false true false false -979000000 -979 false false false 5 false true false false -580000000 -580 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest as well as interest expenses for liablities. No authoritative reference available. false 27 Gains (losses) on derivatives, net 2 us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false -112000000 -112 false false false 2 false true false false -230000000 -230 false false false 3 false true false false 873000000 873 false false false 4 false true false false -342000000 -342 false false false 5 false true false false 891000000 891 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects. No authoritative reference available. false 28 Foreign exchange and indexation gains (losses), net 2 us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 66000000 66 false false false 2 false true false false -30000000 -30 false false false 3 false true false false 523000000 523 false false false 4 false true false false 36000000 36 false false false 5 false true false false 539000000 539 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 29 Gain (loss) on sale of investments 2 us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfInvestments us-gaap true credit duration 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 false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 157000000 157 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false 5 false true false false 157000000 157 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The net realized gain or loss on investments sold during the period, which, for cash flow reporting, is a component of proceeds from investing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 true 30 Total non-operating income (expenses) 2 us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false -491000000 -491 false false false 2 false true false false -677000000 -677 false false false 3 false true false false 1353000000 1353 false false false 4 false true false false -1168000000 -1168 false false false 5 false true false false 1225000000 1225 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 31 Income before discontinued operations, income taxes and equity results 1 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 4139000000 4139 false false false 2 false true false false 1385000000 1385 false false false 3 false true false false 2329000000 2329 false false false 4 false true false false 5524000000 5524 false false false 5 false true false false 3886000000 3886 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 32 Income taxes 1 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAbstract us-gaap true na duration 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 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false 5 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 33 Current 2 us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -609000000 -609 false false false 2 false true false false -249000000 -249 false false false 3 false true false false -1494000000 -1494 false false false 4 false true false false -858000000 -858 false false false 5 false true false false -1971000000 -1971 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 34 Deferred 2 us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -52000000 -52 false false false 2 false true false false 488000000 488 false false false 3 false true false false -130000000 -130 false false false 4 false true false false 436000000 436 false false false 5 false true false false 41000000 41 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 35 Total income tax 2 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -661000000 -661 false false false 2 false true false false 239000000 239 false false false 3 false true false false -1624000000 -1624 false false false 4 false true false false -422000000 -422 false false false 5 false true false false -1930000000 -1930 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 36 Equity in results of affiliates, joint ventures and other investments 1 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 283000000 283 false false false 2 false true false false 96000000 96 false false false 3 false true false false 135000000 135 false false false 4 false true false false 379000000 379 false false false 5 false true false false 207000000 207 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 37 Net income from continuing operations 1 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 3761000000 3761 false false false 2 false true false false 1720000000 1720 false false false 3 false true false false 840000000 840 false false false 4 false true false false 5481000000 5481 false false false 5 false true false false 2163000000 2163 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 38 Discontinued operations, net of tax 1 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false -6000000 -6 false false false 2 false true false false -145000000 -145 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false 4 false true false false -151000000 -151 false false false 5 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary 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 39 Net income 1 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 3755000000 3755 false false false 2 false true false false 1575000000 1575 false false false 3 false true false false 840000000 840 false false false 4 false true false false 5330000000 5330 false false false 5 false true false false 2163000000 2163 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. 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If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes. 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No authoritative reference available. false 45 Earnings per preferred share linked to convertible mandatorily notes 2 vale_EarningsPerPreferredShareLinkedToConvertibleNote vale false na duration The amount of net income or loss for the period per each preferred share outstanding linked to convertible note during the... false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 1.09 1.09 [1] false false false 2 true true false false 0.54 0.54 [1] false false false 3 true true false false 0.63 0.63 [1] false false false 4 true true false false 1.79 1.79 [1] false false false 5 true true false false 1.16 1.16 [1] false false false xbrli:decimalItemType decimal 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 46 Earnings per common share linked to convertible mandatorily notes 2 vale_EarningsPerCommonShareLinkedToConvertibleNote vale false na duration 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 1.95 1.95 [1] false false false 2 true true false false 0.6 0.6 [1] false false false 3 true true false false 0.69 0.69 [1] false false false 4 true true false false 3.48 3.48 [1] false false false 5 true true false false 1.25 1.25 [1] false false false xbrli:decimalItemType decimal 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 5 44 false Millions UnKnown NoRounding false true