2.2.0.25falsefalse0202 - Disclosure - Basis of consolidationtruefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $Jan-01-2010_Dec-31-2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000917851duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0vale_BasisOfConsolidationAbstractvalefalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseBasis of consolidation [Abstract]3false0us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> <div style="margin-top: 12pt"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; text-align: left"> <tr valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent"> <td width="3%" nowrap="nowrap" align="left"><b>2 </b></td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td><b>Basis of consolidation</b></td> </tr> </table> </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">All majority-owned subsidiaries in which we have both share and management control are consolidated. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. Subsidiaries over which control is achieved through other means, such as stockholders agreement, are also consolidated even if we hold less than 51% of voting capital. 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 15). </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">We evaluate the carrying value of our equity 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: 4%">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: 4%">Our participation in hydroelectric projects in Brazil 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 (Note 12). </div>   </div>  <div style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> <div align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">     </div> </div>  <!-- Begin Block Tagged NotefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescription 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 falsefalseBasis of consolidation12Basis of consolidationUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue