2.2.0.25falsefalse0131 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010 USD ($) $BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000917851instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3true0vale_NonCashTransactionsAbstractvalefalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseNon-cash transactions4false0us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentSharesIssuedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse7543523875435238falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe number of shares issued in exchange for the original debt being converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 32 falsefalseConversion of convertible notes, stock issued12Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical)UnKnownNoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue