2.2.0.7 false Basis of consolidation 0202 - Disclosure - Basis of consolidation true false false false 1 USD false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 2 Basis of consolidation [Abstract] 0 vale_BasisOfConsolidationAbstract vale false na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 3 Basis of consolidation 1 us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlock us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0   <div align="left" style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><b>2 Basis of consolidation</b> </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">All majority-owned subsidiaries in which we have both share and management control are consolidated. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. Our variable interest entities in which we are the primary beneficiary are consolidated. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates and joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method (Note 11). </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">We evaluate the carrying value of our equity accounted investments in relation to publicly quoted market prices when available. If the quoted market price is below book value, and such decline is considered other than temporary, we write-down our equity investments to quoted market value. </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">We define joint ventures as businesses in which we and a small group of other partners each participate actively in the overall entity management, based on a stockholders agreement. We define affiliates as businesses in which we participate as a noncontrolling interest but with significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">Our participation in hydroelectric projects is made via consortium contracts under which we have undivided interests in the assets and are liable for our proportionate share of liabilities and expenses, which are based on our proportionate share of power output. We do not have joint liability for any obligations. No separate legal or tax status is granted to consortia under Brazilian law. Accordingly, we recognize our proportionate share of costs and our undivided interest in assets relating to hydroelectric projects. </div> </div>  <!-- Begin Block Tagged Note false false false us-types:textBlockItemType textblock Description containing the entire organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS140-4 and FIN46(R)-8 -Paragraph 8, C1, C7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 2-6 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 94-6 -Paragraph 10 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 46R -Paragraph 4, 14, 15 false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true