Name:	ifrs-full_DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The increase (decrease) in liabilities arising from financing activities. [Refer: Liabilities arising from financing activities]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 44B
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=7&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_44B&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Name:	ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseInLiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The increase (decrease) in liabilities arising from financing activities resulting from the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates. [Refer: Liabilities arising from financing activities]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 44B
-Subparagraph c
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=7&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_44B_c&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Name:	ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseThroughEffectOfChangesInForeignExchangeRatesLiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of liabilities for which cash flows were, or future cash flows will be, classified in the statement of cash flows as cash flows from financing activities. [Refer: Cash flows from (used in) financing activities; Liabilities]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 44D
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=7&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_44D&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Name:	ifrs-full_LiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The cash inflow from borrowings obtained. [Refer: Borrowings]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph c
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=7&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_17_c&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Name:	ifrs-full_ProceedsFromBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow to settle borrowings, classified as financing activities. [Refer: Borrowings]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph d
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=7&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_17_d&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Name:	ifrs-full_RepaymentsOfBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The decrease in liabilities arising from financing activities resulting from interest paid.

No definition available.

Name:	vale_DecreaseThroughInterestPaidLiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	vale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of expenses incurred in connection with cash tender offer repurchased.

No definition available.

Name:	vale_ExpensesWithCashTenderOfferRepurchased
Namespace Prefix:	vale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The increase (decrease) in non cash changes in liabilities arising from financing activities.

No definition available.

Name:	vale_IncreaseDecreaseInNonCashChangesInLiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	vale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The increase in liabilities arising from financing activities resulting from interest accrued.

No definition available.