Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventories
Nickel (co-products and by-products)	$ 1,662	$ 1,771
Iron ore and pellets	1,086	1,137
Manganese and ferroalloys	90	240
Fertilizer	373	387
Copper concentrate	64	72
Coal	311	277
Others	11	91
Spare parts and maintenance supplies	1,455	1,276
Inventory net	5,052	5,251
Provision for adjustment to market value for product nickel	0	14
Provision for adjustment to market value for product manganese	3	9
Provision for adjustment to market value for product copper	$ 3	$ 0

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of coal, which is a combustible rock or minerals which are extracted from the ground and used as fuel.

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Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of inventories less all valuation and other allowances. Excludes noncurrent inventory balances (expected to remain on hand past one year or one operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

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- Definition

Gross amount of components of assembled products that can be sold directly or indirectly through sales of assembled products.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

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Gross amount of inventories of a nature not separately disclosed.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 43

-Section A

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-Chapter 3

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- Definition

Represents copper concentrate inventory.

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Represents fertilizer inventory.

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Represents the details pertaining to provision for adjustment to market value for product copper.

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Represents the details pertaining to provision for adjustment to market value for product manganese.

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Represents the details pertaining to provision for adjustment to market value for product nickel.

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- Definition

Represents iron ore and pellets inventory.

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Represents manganese and ferroalloys inventory.

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Represents nickel co-products and by-products inventory.

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