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This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.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 SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseDividends received248false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://vale.com/role/investmentsinaffiliatedcompaniesandjointventuresdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse82falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesCategorizationAxis} : Coal [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $TwelveMonthEnded_31Dec2010_Coal_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000917851duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCoal [Member]us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesCategorizationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivale_CoalMemberus-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesCategorizationAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$83falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesCategorizationAxis} : Coal [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Coal_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000917851duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCoal [Member]us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesCategorizationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivale_CoalMemberus-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesCategorizationAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$84falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesCategorizationAxis} : Coal [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Coal_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000917851duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCoal [Member]us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesCategorizationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivale_CoalMemberus-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesCategorizationAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCoal [Member]249true0us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVenturesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseInvestments in affiliated companies and joint ventures250false0us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVenturesus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse223000000223falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse243000000243falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable form a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseInvestments251false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse5700000057falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse5600000056falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse6200000062falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis 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 falsefalseEquity in results of affiliates and joint ventures and change in provision for losses on equity investments252false0us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse8300000083falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2700000027falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.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 SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseDividends received1Although Vale held a majority of the voting interest of investees accounted for under the equity method, existing veto rights held by noncontrolling shareholders under shareholder agreements preclude consolidation;2Available for sale3Sold in April 20093223Investments in affiliated companies and joint ventures (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue