Brumadinho dam failure - Incurred expenses (Details) - 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2019 R$ in Millions, $ in Millions	BRL (R$)	USD ($)
Indemnification of affected residents
Contingencies
Incurred expenses	R$ 2,903	$ 730

Amount of expenses related to communication services, accommodation and humanitarian assistance, equipment, legal services, water, food aid, taxes and other items.

No definition available.

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