Stockholders' Equity (Details) (Vale and Vale P - 2012 [Member], USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011
Vale issued mandatory convertible notes
Mandatory convertible notes, date emission	39995
Mandatory convertible notes, date, Expiration	41061
Mandatory convertible notes value, gross	$ 942
Mandatory convertible notes value, net of charges	934
Mandatory convertible notes, coupon	6.75%
Preferred Stock Member
Funds linked to future mandatory conversion
Maximum amount of action	47,284,800
Maximum amount of action, Value	649
Common stock
Funds linked to future mandatory conversion
Maximum amount of action	18,415,859
Maximum amount of action, Value	$ 293

The number of equity instruments that the holder of the debt instrument would receive if the debt was converted to equity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number APB14-1
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph b

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 21
-Paragraph 16, 20

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Estimated fair value of the debt instrument at the balance-sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 10

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

When presenting a range of maturity dates, the latest date when the outstanding debt instruments are required to be repaid. May be presented in a variety of ways (for example: year only, month and year, day, month and year, and number of years).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

When presenting a range of maturity dates, the earliest date when the outstanding debt instruments are required to be repaid. May be presented in a variety of ways (for example: year only, month and year, day, month and year, and number of years).

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Debt Instrument Convertible Equity Instruments value.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vale
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Funds linked to future mandatory conversion.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Vale issued mandatory convertible notes.

+ Details

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