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

The amount of the estimated financial effect of contingent liabilities. [Refer: Contingent liabilities [member]]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 37
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 86
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=37&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_86_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

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

The amount of cash and cash equivalents whose use or withdrawal is restricted. [Refer: Cash and cash equivalents]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 55
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_55&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Name:	ifrs-full_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of expenses related to additional guarantees.

No definition available.

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

The amount of additional guarantees presented in court and used to release judicial deposits.

No definition available.

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

The amount of administrative fines imposed during the period.

No definition available.

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

The amount of judicial deposits to secure a potential adverse outcome of certain lawsuits.

No definition available.

Name:	vale_JudicialDepositsToSecurePotentialAdverseOutcomeOfCertainLawsuits
Namespace Prefix:	vale_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of assets restricted for contingent liabilities.

No definition available.