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

The amount of the expense relating to variable lease payments not included in the measurement of lease liabilities. Variable lease payments are the portion of payments made by a lessee to a lessor for the right to use an underlying asset during the lease term that varies because of changes in facts or circumstances occurring after the commencement date, other than the passage of time. [Refer: Lease liabilities]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 16
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 53
-Subparagraph e
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_53_e&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

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

The amount of the lease commitments for short-term leases accounted for applying paragraph 6 of IFRS 16. Short-term lease is a lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less. A lease that contains a purchase option is not a short-term lease.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 16
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 55
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_55&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

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

The amount of liabilities related to the entity's leases. Lease is a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an underlying asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 16
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 47
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_47_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

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

This represents Lease Payable Discounted Using Incremental Borrowing Rate.

No definition available.

Name:	vale_LeasePayableDiscountedUsingIncrementalBorrowingRate
Namespace Prefix:	vale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of future minimum lease payments payable under non-cancellable operating leases. Minimum lease payments are payments over the lease term that the lessee is or can be required to make, excluding contingent rent, costs for services and taxes to be paid by, and reimbursed to, the lessor, together with: (a) for a lessee, any amounts guaranteed by the lessee or by a party related to the lessee; or (b) for a lessor, any residual value guaranteed to the lessor by: (i) the lessee; (ii) a party related to the lessee; or (iii) a third party unrelated to the lessor that is financially capable of discharging the obligations under the guarantee.

No definition available.

Name:	vale_MinimumLeasePaymentsPayableUnderNoncancellableOperatingleaseIFRS16
Namespace Prefix:	vale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis=vale_PortsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis=ifrs-full_ShipsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis=vale_PelletsPlantsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis=vale_PropertiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis=vale_EnergyPlantsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis=vale_LocomotivesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: