Vale S.A. (SEC Filing Page | XBRL Cloud Viewer | XBRL Instance)

Line	Label	Object Class	Period Type	Balance	Report ElementName
1	00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation
2	Document and entity information [table]	Table	*	*	vale:DocumentAndEntityInformationTable
3	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
4	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
5	Common share	Member			ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
6	Golden shares	Member			vale:GoldenSharesMember
7	Document and Entity Information	LineItems			vale:DocumentAndEntityInformationLineItems
8	Entity Registrant Name	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		dei:EntityRegistrantName
9	Entity Central Index Key	Concept (CIK Number)	For Period		dei:EntityCentralIndexKey
10	Document Type	Concept (Submission Type)	For Period		dei:DocumentType
11	Document Period End Date	Concept (Date)	For Period		dei:DocumentPeriodEndDate
12	Amendment Flag	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:AmendmentFlag
13	Current Fiscal Year End Date	Concept (Month/Day)	For Period		dei:CurrentFiscalYearEndDate
14	Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer
15	Entity Current Reporting Status	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:EntityCurrentReportingStatus
16	Entity Filer Category	Concept (Filer Category)	For Period		dei:EntityFilerCategory
17	Entity Emerging Growth Company	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:EntityEmergingGrowthCompany
18	Entity Shell Company	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:EntityShellCompany
19	Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	Concept (Shares)	As Of		dei:EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding
20	Document Fiscal Year Focus	Concept (Year)	For Period		dei:DocumentFiscalYearFocus
21	Document Fiscal Period Focus	Concept (Fiscal Period)	For Period		dei:DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus
22	00100 - Statement - Consolidated Income Statement	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/StatementConsolidatedIncomeStatement
23	Disclosure of classes of share capital [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
24	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
25	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
26	Common share	Member			ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
27	Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
28	Continuing operations	Abstract			vale:ProfitOrLossContinuingOperationsAbstract
29	Net operating revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:Revenue
30	Cost of goods sold and services rendered	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CostOfSales
31	Gross Profit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GrossProfit
32	Operating expenses	Abstract			vale:OperatingRevenueExpenses
33	Selling and administrative expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
34	Research and evaluation expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense
35	Pre operating and operational stoppage	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:PreOperatingAndOperationalStoppageExpense
36	Other operating expenses, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherOperatingIncomeExpense
37	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OperatingExpense
38	Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) recognised in profit or loss	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
39	Operating income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromOperatingActivities
40	Financial income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:FinanceIncome
41	Financial expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:FinanceCosts
42	Other financial items	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:OtherFinancialItems
43	Equity results and other results in associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:ShareOfProfitLossAndOtherResultsOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
44	Income before income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
45	Income taxes	Abstract			ifrs-full:MajorComponentsOfTaxExpenseIncomeAbstract
46	Current tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentTaxExpenseIncome
47	Deferred tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:DeferredTaxExpenseIncomeRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
48	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
49	Net income from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromContinuingOperations
50	Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromContinuingOperationsAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
51	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Vale's stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncomeFromContinuingOperationsAttributableToOwnersOfParent
52	Discontinued operations	Abstract			vale:ProfitLossFromDiscontinuingOperationsAttributableToOwnersOfParentAbstract
53	Loss from discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromDiscontinuedOperations
54	Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
55	Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Vale's stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncomeFromDiscontinuedOperationsAttributableToOwnersOfParent
56	Net income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
57	Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
58	Net income attributable to Vale's stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOwnersOfParent
59	Earnings per share attributable to Vale's stockholders:	Abstract			ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareAbstract
60	Basic and diluted earnings per share:	Abstract			ifrs-full:BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareAbstract
61	Common share (US$)	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:BasicAndDilutedEarningsLossPerShare
62	00200 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfComprehensiveIncome
63	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
64	Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	Abstract			ifrs-full:StatementOfComprehensiveIncomeAbstract
65	Net income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
66	Other comprehensive income (loss):	Abstract			ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract
67	Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to the income statement	Abstract			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillNotBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTaxAbstract
68	Translation adjustments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAdjustmentForCumulativeExchangeDifferencesOnTranslation
69	Retirement benefit obligations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxGainsLossesOnRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlans
70	Fair value adjustment to investment in equity securities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxGainsLossesFromInvestmentsInEquityInstruments
71	Transfer to reserve	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxTransferToRetainedEarnings
72	Total items that will not be reclassified subsequently to the income statement, net of tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillNotBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTax
73	Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement	Abstract			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTaxAbstract
74	Translation adjustments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxExchangeDifferencesOnTranslation
75	Fair value adjustment to debt instruments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAvailableforsaleFinancialAssets
76	Cash flow hedge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnCashFlowHedgesNetOfTax
77	Net investments hedge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxHedgesOfNetInvestmentsInForeignOperations
78	Transfer of realized results to net income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnOtherComprehensiveIncomeToNetIncome
79	Total of items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement, net of tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTax
80	Total comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
81	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncomeAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
82	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vale's stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncomeAttributableToOwnersOfParent
83	From continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:ComprehensiveIncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
84	From discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:ComprehensiveIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperations
85	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vale's stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncomeAttributableToOwnersOfParent
86	00300 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlows
87	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
88	Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	Abstract			ifrs-full:StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract
89	Cash flow from operating activities:	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract
90	Income before income taxes from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
91	Adjusted for:	Abstract			ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForReconcileProfitLossAbstract
92	Equity results and other results in associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:ShareOfProfitLossAndOtherResultsOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
93	Impairment and disposal of non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
94	Depreciation, amortization and depletion	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDepreciationAndAmortisationExpense
95	Financial results, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:FinanceIncomeCost
96	Changes in assets and liabilities:	Abstract			vale:IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract
97	Accounts receivable	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDecreaseIncreaseInTradeAccountReceivable
98	Inventories	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDecreaseIncreaseInInventories
99	Suppliers and contractors	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForIncreaseDecreaseInTradeAccountPayable
100	Provision - Payroll, related charges and others remunerations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForIncreaseDecreaseInEmployeeBenefitLiabilities
101	Proceeds from cobalt and gold stream transaction	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:UpfrontReceiptsOfAgreementToSellByProducts
102	Other assets and liabilities, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:AdjustmentsForDecreaseIncreaseInOtherAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
103	Total cash flow from operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperations
104	Interest on loans and borrowings paid (note 21)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestPaidClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
105	Derivatives paid, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:ChangeInFairValueOfDerivativesReceivedPaidClassifiedAsOperatingActivitiesNet
106	Interest on participative stockholders' debentures paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:InterestOnParticipativeStockholdersDebenturesPaidClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
107	Income taxes (including settlement program)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:IncomeTaxesPaidIncludingPaymentsUnderSettlementProgram
108	Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivities
109	Cash flow from investing activities:	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract
110	Capital expenditures	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:PaymentsForCapitalExpenditure
111	Additions to investments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PurchaseOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
112	Proceeds from disposal of assets and investments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ProceedsFromDisposalOfAssetsAndInvestmentsClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
113	Dividends and interest on capital received from associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsReceivedClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
114	Others investments activities, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherInflowsOutflowsOfCashClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
115	Proceeds from gold stream transaction	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromDisposalOfExplorationAndEvaluationAssets
116	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
117	Cash flow from financing activities:	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract
118	Loans and borrowings from third-parties (note 21)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
119	Payments of loans and borrowings from third-parties (note 21)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:RepaymentsOfBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
120	Dividends and interest on capital paid to stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToEquityHoldersOfParentClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
121	Dividends and interest on capital paid to noncontrolling interest	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToNoncontrollingInterestsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
122	Share buyback program (note 30)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PaymentsToAcquireOrRedeemEntitysShares
123	Transactions with noncontrolling stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:PaymentsFromProceedsFromTransactionsWithNoncontrollingInterestsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
124	Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
125	Net cash used in discontinued operations (note 14)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndCashEquivalentsDiscontinuedOperations
126	Increase in cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndCashEquivalentsBeforeEffectOfExchangeRateChanges
127	Cash and cash equivalents in the beginning of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
128	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:EffectOfExchangeRateChangesOnCashAndCashEquivalents
129	Effects of disposals of subsidiaries and merger, net of cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:EffectOfDisposalsOfSubsidiariesAndMergerNetOnCashAndCashEquivalents
130	Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
131	Non-cash transactions:	Abstract			vale:NonCashTransactionsAbstract
132	Additions to property, plant and equipment-capitalized loans and borrowing costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:BorrowingCostsCapitalised
133	00305 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Parenthetical)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlowsParenthetical
134	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
135	Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	Abstract			ifrs-full:StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract
136	Proceeds received from Nacala project finance	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ReceiptsOfPaymentsOfRelatedPartyLoans
137	00400 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Financial Position	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfFinancialPosition
138	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
139	Consolidated Statement of Financial Position	Abstract			ifrs-full:StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract
140	Assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:AssetsAbstract
141	Current assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:CurrentAssetsAbstract
142	Cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
143	Accounts receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentTradeReceivables
144	Other financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherCurrentFinancialAssets
145	Inventories	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Inventories
146	Prepaid income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentTaxAssetsCurrent
147	Recoverable taxes	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:RecoverableTaxesCurrent
148	Others	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherCurrentAssets
149	Total current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentAssetsOtherThanAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleOrAsHeldForDistributionToOwners
150	Non-current assets held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
151	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
152	Non-current assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsAbstract
153	Judicial deposits	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:JudicialDepositsNonCurrent
154	Other financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentFinancialAssets
155	Prepaid income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentTaxAssetsNoncurrent
156	Recoverable taxes	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:RecoverableTaxesNonCurrent
157	Deferred income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
158	Others	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentAssets
159	Total non-current assets excluding investments, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:NonCurrentAssetsExcludingInvestmentsIntangibleAssetsAndPropertyPlantAndEquipment
160	Investments in associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociates
161	Intangibles	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
162	Property, plant and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
163	Total non current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
164	Total assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Assets
165	Liabilities	Abstract			ifrs-full:LiabilitiesAbstract
166	Current liabilities	Abstract			ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilitiesAbstract
167	Suppliers and contractors	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentPayables
168	Loans and borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentBorrowingsAndCurrentPortionOfNoncurrentBorrowings
169	Other financial liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherCurrentFinancialLiabilities
170	Taxes payable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentPayablesOnSocialSecurityAndTaxesOtherThanIncomeTax
171	Provision for income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentTaxLiabilitiesCurrent
172	Liabilities related to associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:LiabilitiesRelatedToAssociatesAndJointVenturesCurrent
173	Provisions	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentProvisions
174	Dividends and interest on capital	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentDividendPayables
175	Others	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherCurrentLiabilities
176	Total current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilitiesOtherThanLiabilitiesIncludedInDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
177	Liabilities associated with non-current assets held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilitiesIncludedInDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
178	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
179	Non-current liabilities	Abstract			ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilitiesAbstract
180	Loans and borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowings
181	Other financial liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentFinancialLiabilities
182	Taxes payable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentPayablesOnSocialSecurityAndTaxesOtherThanIncomeTax
183	Deferred income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilities
184	Provisions	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentProvisions
185	Liabilities related to associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:LiabilitiesRelatedToAssociatesAndJointVenturesNonCurrent
186	Deferred revenue - Gold stream	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DeferredIncomeClassifiedAsNoncurrent
187	Others	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentLiabilities
188	Total non current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilities
189	Total liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Liabilities
190	Stockholders' equity	Abstract			ifrs-full:EquityAbstract
191	Equity attributable to Vale's stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParent
192	Equity attributable to noncontrolling interests	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterests
193	Total stockholders' equity	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
194	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:EquityAndLiabilities
195	00500 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfChangesInEquity
196	Statement of changes in equity [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:StatementOfChangesInEquityTable
197	Components of equity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
198	Equity [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EquityMember
199	Share capital	Member			ifrs-full:IssuedCapitalMember
200	Results on conversion of shares	Member			vale:ResultsOnConversionOfSharesMember
201	Capital reserve	Member			vale:CapitalReservesMember
202	Net ownership changes in subsidiaries	Member			vale:NetOwnershipChangesInSubsidiariesMember
203	Profit reserves	Member			vale:ProfitReservesMember
204	Treasury stocks	Member			ifrs-full:TreasurySharesMember
205	Unrealized fair value gain (losses)	Member			vale:UnrealizedFairValueGainOrLossMember
206	Cumulative translation adjustments	Member			ifrs-full:ReserveOfExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationMember
207	Retained earnings	Member			ifrs-full:RetainedEarningsMember
208	Equity attributable to Vale's stockholders	Member			ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParentMember
209	Equity attributable to noncontrolling interests	Member			ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterestsMember
210	Increase (decrease) in equity	LineItems			ifrs-full:StatementOfChangesInEquityLineItems
211	Balance at beginning of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
212	Net income (loss)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
213	Other comprehensive income:	Abstract			ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract
214	Retirement benefit obligations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxGainsLossesOnRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlansIncludingTransferToReserve
215	Fair value adjustment to investment in equity securities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxGainsLossesFromInvestmentsInEquityInstruments
216	Net investments hedge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxHedgesOfNetInvestmentsInForeignOperations
217	Cash flow hedge	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxCashFlowHedges
218	Available-for-sale financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAvailableforsaleFinancialAssets
219	Translation adjustments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationEquityEffect
220	Transactions with stockholders:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ChangesInEquityAbstract
221	Dividends and interest on capital of Vale's stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsRecognisedAsDistributionsToOwnersOfParent
222	Dividends of noncontrolling interest	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsRecognisedAsDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterests
223	Acquisitions and disposal of noncontrolling interest	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInOwnershipInterestsInSubsidiariesThatDoNotResultInLossOfControl
224	Capitalization of noncontrolling interest advances	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:IncreaseDecreaseThroughCapitalizationOfNonControllingInterestAdvances
225	Appropriation to undistributed retained earnings	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughAppropriationOfRetainedEarnings
226	Merger of Valepar (Note 30)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughAcquisitionOfSubsidiary
227	Share buyback program	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:PurchaseOfTreasuryShares
228	Balance at end of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
229	10101 - Disclosure - Corporate information	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureCorporateInformation
230	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
231	Corporate information	Abstract			vale:DisclosureOfNatureOfEntitysOperationsAndPrincipalActivitiesAbstract
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233	10201 - Disclosure - Basis for preparation of the financial statements	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureBasisForPreparationOfFinancialStatements
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237	10301 - Disclosure - Brumadinho's dam failure	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureBrumadinhoSDamFailure
238	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
239	Brumadinho's dam failure	Abstract			vale:DamFailureAbstract
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241	10401 - Disclosure - Information by business segment and by geographic area	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInformationByBusinessSegmentAndByGeographicArea
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245	10501 - Disclosure - Costs and expenses by nature	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureCostsAndExpensesByNature
246	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
247	Costs and expenses by nature	Abstract			ifrs-full:ExpenseByNatureAbstract
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249	10601 - Disclosure - Financial result	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureFinancialResult
250	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
251	Financial result	Abstract			vale:DisclosureOfFinancialResultAbstract
252	Financial result	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinanceIncomeExpenseExplanatory
253	10701 - Disclosure - Streaming transactions	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStreamingTransactions
254	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
255	Streaming transactions	Abstract			ifrs-full:AccrualsAndDeferredIncomeAbstract
256	Streaming transactions	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDeferredIncomeExplanatory
257	10801 - Disclosure - Income taxes	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes
258	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
259	Income taxes	Abstract			ifrs-full:MajorComponentsOfTaxExpenseIncomeAbstract
260	Income taxes	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIncomeTaxExplanatory
261	10901 - Disclosure - Basic and diluted earnings per share	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShare
262	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
263	Basic and diluted earnings per share	Abstract			ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareAbstract
264	Basic and diluted earnings per share	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEarningsPerShareExplanatory
265	11001 - Disclosure - Accounts receivable	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivable
266	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
267	Accounts receivable	Abstract			ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherReceivablesAbstract
268	Accounts receivable	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTradeAndOtherReceivablesExplanatory
269	11101 - Disclosure - Inventories	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInventories
270	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
271	Inventories	Abstract			ifrs-full:ClassesOfInventoriesAbstract
272	Inventories	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInventoriesExplanatory
273	11201 - Disclosure - Recoverable taxes	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureRecoverableTaxes
274	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
275	Recoverable taxes	Abstract			vale:RecoverableTaxesAbstract
276	Recoverable taxes	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTaxReceivablesAndPayablesExplanatory
277	11301 - Disclosure - Other financial assets and liabilities	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureOtherFinancialAssetsAndLiabilities
278	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
279	Other financial assets and liabilities	Abstract			vale:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutOtherFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract
280	Other financial assets and liabilities	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		vale:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutOtherFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesExplanatory
281	11401 - Disclosure - Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureNonCurrentAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperations
282	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
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284	Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNoncurrentAssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsExplanatory
285	11501 - Disclosure - Subsidiaries	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureSubsidiaries
286	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
287	Subsidiaries	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAbstract
288	Subsidiaries	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesExplanatory
289	11601 - Disclosure - Investments in associates and joint ventures	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInAssociatesAndJointVentures
290	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
291	Investments in associates and joint ventures	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAbstract
292	Investments in associates and joint ventures	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodExplanatory
293	11701 - Disclosure - Noncontrolling interest	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureNoncontrollingInterest
294	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
295	Noncontrolling interest	Abstract			vale:DisclosureOfNoncontrollingInterestsAbstract
296	Noncontrolling interest	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNoncontrollingInterestsExplanatory
297	11801 - Disclosure - Intangibles	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureIntangibles
298	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
299	Intangibles	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsAbstract
300	Intangibles	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsExplanatory
301	11901 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipment
302	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
303	Property, plant and equipment	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
304	Property, plant and equipment	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
305	12001 - Disclosure - Impairment and onerous contracts	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureImpairmentAndOnerousContracts
306	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
307	Impairment and onerous contracts	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfImpairmentLossAndReversalOfImpairmentLossAbstract
308	Impairment and onerous contracts	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfImpairmentOfAssetsExplanatory
309	12101 - Disclosure - Loans, borrowings and cash and cash equivalents	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLoansBorrowingsAndCashAndCashEquivalents
310	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
311	Loans and borrowings	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsAbstract
312	Loans, borrowings and cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBorrowingsExplanatory
313	12201 - Disclosure - Liabilities related to associates and joint ventures	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLiabilitiesRelatedToAssociatesAndJointVentures
314	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
315	Liabilities related to associates and joint ventures	Abstract			vale:DisclosureOfLiabilitiesRelatedToAssociatesAndJointVenturesAbstract
316	Liabilities related to associates and joint ventures	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		vale:DisclosureOfLiabilitiesRelatedToAssociatesAndJointVenturesExplanatoryTextBlock
317	12301 - Disclosure - Financial instruments classification	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsClassification
318	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
319	Financial instruments classification	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsAbstract
320	Financial instruments classification	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
321	12401 - Disclosure - Fair value estimate	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureFairValueEstimate
322	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
323	Fair value estimate	Abstract			vale:DisclosureOfFairValueEstimateAbstract
324	Fair value estimate	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueMeasurementExplanatory
325	12501 - Disclosure - Derivative financial instruments	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstruments
326	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
327	Derivatives financial instruments	Abstract			vale:DisclosureOfDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsAbstract
328	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
329	12601 - Disclosure - Provisions	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureProvisions
330	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
331	Provisions.	Abstract			ifrs-full:ProvisionsAbstract
332	Provisions	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfProvisionsExplanatory
333	12701 - Disclosure - Asset retirement obligations	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAssetRetirementObligations
334	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
335	Asset retirement obligations	Abstract			ifrs-full:ProvisionForDecommissioningRestorationAndRehabilitationCostsAbstract
336	Asset retirement obligations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInterestInFundsExplanatory
337	12801 - Disclosure - Litigation	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLitigation
338	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
339	Litigation	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesAbstract
340	Litigation	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesExplanatory
341	12901 - Disclosure - Employee Benefits	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefits
342	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
343	Employee benefits	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansAbstract
344	Employee benefits	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEmployeeBenefitsExplanatory
345	13001 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity
346	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
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348	Stockholders' equity	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestExplanatory
349	13101 - Disclosure - Related parties	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureRelatedParties
350	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
351	Related parties	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesAbstract
352	Related parties	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfRelatedPartyExplanatory
353	13201 - Disclosure - Commitments	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureCommitments
354	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
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356	Commitments	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCommitmentsExplanatory
357	13301 - Disclosure - Risk management	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureRiskManagement
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359	Risk management	Abstract			vale:DisclosureOfRiskManagementAbstract
360	Risk management	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialRiskManagementExplanatory
361	13401 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstruments
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365	20202 - Disclosure - Basis for preparation of the financial statements (Policies)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureBasisForPreparationOfFinancialStatementsPolicies
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370	Information by business segment and by geographic area	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForSegmentReportingExplanatory
371	Revenue	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForRecognitionOfRevenue
372	Transactions in foreign currencies and translation from the fuctional currency to the presentation currency	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForForeignCurrencyTranslationExplanatory
373	Income taxes	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForIncomeTaxExplanatory
374	Accounts receivable	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForTradeAndOtherReceivablesExplanatory
375	Inventories	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForMeasuringInventories
376	Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForNoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsExplanatory
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378	Intangibles	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillExplanatory
379	Property, plant and equipment	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
380	Exploration and evaluation expenditures	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForExplorationAndEvaluationExpenditures
381	Expenditures on feasibility studies, new technologies and others research	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseExplanatory
382	Maintenance costs	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForRepairsAndMaintenanceExplanatory
383	Stripping Costs	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForStrippingCostsExplanatory
384	Impairment and onerous contracts	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForImpairmentOfNonfinancialAssetsExplanatory
385	Loans and borrowings	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForBorrowingsExplanatory
386	Financial instruments classification	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
387	Fair value estimate	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForFairValueMeasurementExplanatory
388	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingExplanatory
389	Asset retirement obligations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForDecommissioningRestorationAndRehabilitationProvisionsExplanatory
390	Litigation	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForContingentLiabilitiesAndContingentAssetsExplanatory
391	Employee benefits	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForEmployeeBenefitsExplanatory
392	Stockholders' equity	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForDividendsExplanatory
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396	Schedule of exchange rates used to translate its foreign operations	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEffectOfChangesInForeignExchangeRatesExplanatory
397	Schedule of reclassification of the financial instruments	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReclassificationOfFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
398	30303 - Disclosure - Brumadinho's dam failure (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureBrumadinhoSDamFailureTables
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402	30403 - Disclosure - Information by business segment and by geographic area (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInformationByBusinessSegmentAndByGeographicAreaTables
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405	Schedule of adjusted EBITDA	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsExplanatory
406	Schedule of special events	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		vale:DisclosureOfSpecialEventsTextBlock
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408	Schedule of Investment in associates and joint ventures, intangible, property, plant and equipment by geographical area and net operating revenue by geographic area	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfGeographicalAreasExplanatory
409	30503 - Disclosure - Costs and expenses by nature (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureCostsAndExpensesByNatureTables
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413	Schedule of selling and administrative expenses	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseExplanatory
414	Schedule of other operational expenses (income), net	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherOperatingIncomeExpenseExplanatory
415	30603 - Disclosure - Financial result (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureFinancialResultTables
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418	Schedule of financial results	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInterestIncomeExpenseExplanatory
419	30803 - Disclosure - Income taxes (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables
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421	Income taxes	Abstract			ifrs-full:MajorComponentsOfTaxExpenseIncomeAbstract
422	Schedule of deferred income tax assets and liabilities	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsExplanatory
423	Schedule of changes in deferred tax	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDeferredTaxesExplanatory
424	Schedule of amount presented as income taxes in the income statement reconciled to the rate established by law	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		vale:EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTableTextBlock
425	30903 - Disclosure - Basic and diluted earnings per share (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareTables
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428	Schedule of basic and diluted earnings per share	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareExplanatory
429	31003 - Disclosure - Accounts receivable (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableTables
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432	Schedule of accounts receivable	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		vale:DisclosureOfAccountsReceivableTableTextBlock
433	Schedule of impairment of accounts receivables recorded in income statement	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsThatAreEitherPastDueOrImpairedExplanatory
434	31103 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInventoriesTables
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437	Schedule of inventories	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		vale:DisclosureOfInventoriesTableTextBlock
438	Schedule of reversal (provision) for net realizable value	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		vale:ProvisionOrReversalInventoryProvisionForNetRealizableValueTableTextBlock
439	31203 - Disclosure - Recoverable taxes (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureRecoverableTaxesTables
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451	Summary of the results for the years and the cash flows of discontinued operations of the Fertilizer segment	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDiscontinuedOperationsExplanatory
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461	Schedule of material non consolidated entities - direct and indirect associates	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesExplanatory
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483	32103 - Disclosure - Loans, borrowings and cash and cash equivalents (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLoansBorrowingsAndCashAndCashEquivalentsTables
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488	Schedule of reconciliation of debt to cash flows arising from financing activities	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		vale:ReconciliationOfBorrowingsArisingFromFinancingActivitiesTableTextBlock
489	32203 - Disclosure - Liabilities related to associates and joint ventures (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLiabilitiesRelatedToAssociatesAndJointVenturesTables
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509	Schedule of fair value and carrying amounts of non-current loans	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		vale:DisclosureOfFairValuesAndCarryingAmountsOfNonCurrentLiabilitiesTextBlock
510	32503 - Disclosure - Derivative financial instruments (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables
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529	Schedule of judicial deposits	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		vale:DisclosureOfJudicialDepositsTableTextBlock
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553	Summary of impacts on assets and liabilities from merger of Valepar	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsRecognisedSeparatelyFromAcquisitionOfAssetsAndAssumptionOfLiabilitiesInBusinessCombinationExplanatory
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560	Schedule of remuneration of key management personnel	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationAboutKeyManagementPersonnelExplanatory
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565	33403 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsTables
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704	Fuel and transportation	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:DamFailureFuelAndTransportation
705	Others	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:DamFailureOtherExpenses
706	Total incurred expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:DamFailureIncurredExpenses
707	40306 - Disclosure - Brumadinho's dam failure - Contingencies and other legal matters (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureBrumadinhoSDamFailureContingenciesAndOtherLegalMattersDetails
708	Disclosure of contingent liabilities [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesTable
709	Classes of contingent liabilities [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfContingentLiabilitiesAxis
710	Contingent liabilities [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ContingentLiabilitiesMember
711	State of Minas Gerais injunction to reassure stability of other dams of Corrego do Feijao mine complex	Member			vale:DamFailureBrumadinhoLegalProceedingsStateOfMinasGeraisOtherDamsOfCorregoDoFeijaoMineComplexMember
712	Public Ministry of Labor action	Member			vale:DamFailureBrumadinhoLegalProceedingsPublicMinistryOfLaborMember
713	State of Minas Gerais injunction to fund any evacuation of the communities in Sebastiao de Aguas Claras - Macacos	Member			vale:DamFailureBrumadinhoLegalProceedingsStateOfMinasGeraisCommunitiesInSebastiaoDeAguasClarasMacacosMember
714	State of Minas Gerais injunction to fund any evacuation of the communities in Gongo Soco, Barao de Cocais	Member			vale:DamFailureBrumadinhoLegalProceedingsStateOfMinasGeraisCommunitiesInGongoSocoBaraoDeCocaisMember
715	Lawsuits	Member			vale:DamFailureBrumadinhoLegalProceedingsMember
716	IBAMA fines	Member			vale:BrazilianInstituteOfEnvironmentAndRenewableNaturalResourcesAdministrativeFinesMember
717	Brumadinho Municipal Department of the Environment fines	Member			vale:BrumadinhoMunicipalDepartmentOfEnvironmentFinesMember
718	Contingencies	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesLineItems
719	Restricted cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
720	Restricted assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:RestrictedAssetsForContingentLiabilities
721	Judicial deposits	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:JudicialDepositsToSecurePotentialAdverseOutcomeOfCertainLawsuits
722	Restricted assets guaranteed by treasury shares	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:RestrictedAssetsContingentLiabilitiesGuaranteedByTreasuryShares
723	Treasury shares guarantee (in shares)	Concept (Shares)	As Of		vale:NumberOfTreasurySharesGuaranteeRestrictedAssetsForContingentLiability
724	Treasury shares	Concept (Shares)	As Of		vale:NumberOfTreasuryShares
725	Estimated financial effect of contingent liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:EstimatedFinancialEffectOfContingentLiabilities
726	Daily fine imposed	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:AdministrativeFineImposedPerDay
727	40401 - Disclosure - Information by business segment and by geographic area - Adjusted EBITDA (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInformationByBusinessSegmentAndByGeographicAreaAdjustedEbitdaDetails
728	Disclosure of operating segments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
729	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
730	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
731	Ferrous minerals	Member			vale:FerrousMineralsMember
732	Coal	Member			vale:CoalMember
733	Base metals	Member			vale:BaseMetalsMember
734	Others	Member			ifrs-full:AllOtherSegmentsMember
735	Fertilizers	Member			vale:FertilizersMember
736	Products and services [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
737	Products and services [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
738	Iron ore	Member			vale:IronOreMember
739	Iron ore Pellets	Member			vale:IronOrePelletsMember
740	Ferroalloys and manganese	Member			vale:FerroalloysAndManganeseMember
741	Other ferrous products and services	Member			vale:OtherFerrousProductsAndServicesMember
742	Nickel and other products	Member			vale:NickelAndOtherProductsMember
743	Copper	Member			vale:CopperMember
744	Other base metals products	Member			vale:OtherBaseMetalsProductsMember
745	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
746	Aggregate continuing and discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregateContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
747	Discontinued operations	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
748	Disclosure of operating segments [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
749	Net operating revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:Revenue
750	Cost of goods sold and services rendered	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:CostOfGoodsSoldAndServicesExcludingDepreciationDepletionAmortization
751	Sales, administrative and other operating expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:SalesAdministrativeAndOtherOperatingExpensesExcludingImpairmentAndOnerousContracts
752	Research and evaluation expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense
753	Pre operating and operational stoppage	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:PreOperatingAndOperationalStoppageExcludingDeExcludingDepreciationDepletionAmortization
754	Dividends received and interest from associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DividendsReceivedAndInterestExcludingDepreciationDepletionAmortization
755	Total of continuing operations Adjusted EBITDA	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationAndAmortization
756	Net operating revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:RevenueIncludingDiscontinuedOperations
757	Cost of goods sold and services rendered	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:CostOfGoodsSoldAndServicesContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsExcludingDepreciationDepletionAmortization
758	Sales, administrative and other operating expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:SalesAdministrativeAndOtherOperatingExpensesContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsExcludingImpairmentAndOnerousContracts
759	Research and evaluation expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ResearchAndDevelopmentExpensesIncludingDiscontinuedOperations
760	Pre operating and operational stoppage	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:PreoperatingAndOperationalStoppageContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsExcludingDeExcludingDepreciationDepletionAmortization
761	Dividends received and interest from associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DividendsReceivedAndInterestIncludingDiscontinuedOperations
762	Adjusted EBITDA	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationAndAmortizationIncludingDiscontinueOperations
763	40402 - Disclosure - Information by business segment and by geographic area - Adjusted EBITDA reconciled to net income (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInformationByBusinessSegmentAndByGeographicAreaAdjustedEbitdaReconciledToNetIncomeDetails
764	Disclosure of operating segments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
765	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
766	Aggregate continuing and discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregateContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
767	Discontinued operations	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
768	Information by business segment and by geographic area	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
769	Net income from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromContinuingOperations
770	Loss from discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromDiscontinuedOperations
771	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDepreciationAndAmortisationExpense
772	Income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
773	Income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:TaxExpenseRelatingToProfitLossFromOrdinaryActivitiesOfDiscontinuedOperations
774	Financial results, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:FinanceIncomeCost
775	Special events (note 4b)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:SpecialEventsAndNonrecurringExpenses
776	Equity results and other results in associates and joint ventures, net of dividends received	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:ShareOfProfitLossNetOfDividendsReceivedOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
777	Impairment of non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ImpairmentOfNonCurrentAssets
778	Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationAndAmortization
779	Adjusted EBITDA from discontinuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationAndAmortizationIncludingDiscontinueOperations
780	40403 - Disclosure - Information by business segment and by geographic area - Special events occurred during the year (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInformationByBusinessSegmentAndByGeographicAreaSpecialEventsOccurredDuringYearDetails
781	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
782	Information by business segment and by geographic area	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsAbstract
783	Result in disposal of assets (note 19)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnDisposalsOfNoncurrentAssets
784	Nacala Logistic Corridor (note 16)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitsLossesOnDisposalOfInvestmentsAndChangesInValueOfInvestments
785	Impairment and onerous contracts (note 20)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ImpairmentOfNoncurrentAssetsAndOnerousContracts
786	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:SpecialEventsAndNonrecurringExpenses
787	40404 - Disclosure - Information by business segment and by geographic area - Assets (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInformationByBusinessSegmentAndByGeographicAreaAssetsDetails
788	Disclosure of operating segments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
789	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
790	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
791	Ferrous minerals	Member			vale:FerrousMineralsMember
792	Coal	Member			vale:CoalMember
793	Base metals	Member			vale:BaseMetalsMember
794	Others	Member			ifrs-full:AllOtherSegmentsMember
795	Products and services [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
796	Products and services [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
797	Iron ore	Member			vale:IronOreMember
798	Nickel and other products	Member			vale:NickelAndOtherProductsMember
799	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
800	Aggregate continuing and discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregateContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
801	Discontinued operations	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
802	Information by business segment and by geographic area	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
803	Product inventory	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InventoriesAtNetRealisableValue
804	Investments in associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociates
805	Property, plant and equipment and intangible	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndIntangibleAssets
806	Capital expenditures - Sustaining capital	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PurchaseOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillInvestmentPropertyAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
807	Capital expenditures - Project execution	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PaymentsForDevelopmentProjectExpenditure
808	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:DepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationIncludingDiscontinuedOperations
809	Goodwill	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Goodwill
810	40405 - Disclosure - Information by business segment and by geographic area - Investments in associates and joint ventures, intangibles and property, plant and equipment by geographic area (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInformationByBusinessSegmentAndByGeographicAreaInvestmentsInAssociatesAndJointVenturesIntangiblesAndPropertyPlantAndEquipmentByGeographicAreaDetails
811	Disclosure of operating segments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
812	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
813	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
814	Brazil	Member			country:BR
815	Canada	Member			country:CA
816	Americas, except Brazil and Canada	Member			vale:AmericasExceptBrazilAndCanadaMember
817	Europe	Member			srt:EuropeMember
818	Indonesia	Member			country:ID
819	Asia, except Indonesia	Member			vale:AsiaExceptIndonesiaMember
820	Australia	Member			country:AU
821	New Caledonia	Member			country:NC
822	Mozambique	Member			country:MZ
823	Oman	Member			country:OM
824	Other regions	Member			vale:OtherRegionsMember
825	Information by business segment and by geographic area	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
826	Investments in associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociates
827	Intangible	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
828	Property, plant and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
829	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:InvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociatesIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillAndPropertyPlantAndEquipment
830	40406 - Disclosure - Information by business segment and by geographic area - Revenue (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInformationByBusinessSegmentAndByGeographicAreaRevenueDetails
831	Disclosure of operating segments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
832	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
833	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
834	Ferrous minerals	Member			vale:FerrousMineralsMember
835	Coal	Member			vale:CoalMember
836	Base metals	Member			vale:BaseMetalsMember
837	Others	Member			ifrs-full:AllOtherSegmentsMember
838	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
839	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
840	Americas, except United States and Brazil	Member			vale:AmericasExceptUnitedStatesAndBrazilMember
841	United States of America	Member			country:US
842	Germany	Member			country:DE
843	Europe, except Germany	Member			vale:EuropeExceptGermanyMember
844	Middle East/Africa/Oceania	Member			vale:MiddleEastAfricaAndOceaniaMember
845	Japan	Member			country:JP
846	China	Member			country:CN
847	Asia, except Japan and China	Member			vale:AsiaExceptJapanAndChinaMember
848	Brazil	Member			country:BR
849	Information by business segment and by geographic area	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
850	Net operating revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:Revenue
851	40407 - Disclosure - Information by business segment and by geographic area - Commodity price risk (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInformationByBusinessSegmentAndByGeographicAreaCommodityPriceRiskDetails
852	Disclosure of operating segments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
853	Products and services [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
854	Products and services [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
855	Iron ore	Member			vale:IronOreMember
856	Copper	Member			vale:CopperMember
857	Types of risks [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
858	Risks [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
859	Commodity price risk	Member			ifrs-full:CommodityPriceRiskMember
860	Information by business segment and by geographic area	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
861	Volume of commodity	Concept (num:massItemType)	As Of		vale:VolumeOfCommodity
862	Percentage of change in price of commodities	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:PercentageOfReasonablyPossibleChangeInRiskAssumption
863	Increase or reduction in net income due to change commodity price	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		vale:IncreaseDecreaseInProfitAndLossDueToReasonablyPossibleChangeInDesignatedRiskComponent
864	40501 - Disclosure - Costs and expenses by nature - Cost of goods sold and services (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureCostsAndExpensesByNatureCostOfGoodsSoldAndServicesDetails
865	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
866	Costs and expenses by nature	Abstract			ifrs-full:ExpenseByNatureAbstract
867	Personnel	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:EmployeeBenefitsExpenseCostOfGoodsSoldAndServices
868	Materials and services	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:RawMaterialsAndConsumablesUsed
869	Fuel oil and gas	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:FuelExpense
870	Maintenance	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:RepairsAndMaintenanceExpense
871	Energy	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:EnergyExpense
872	Acquisition of products	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:CostOfAcquisitionOfProducts
873	Depreciation and depletion	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:DepreciationAndDepletionExpenseCostGoodsSoldAndServices
874	Freight	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:TransportationExpense
875	Others	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:OtherCostOfGoodsSoldAndServices
876	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CostOfSales
877	Cost of goods sold	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CostOfMerchandiseSold
878	Cost of services rendered	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ServicesExpense
879	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CostOfSales
880	40502 - Disclosure - Costs and expenses by nature - Selling and administrative (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureCostsAndExpensesByNatureSellingAndAdministrativeDetails
881	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
882	Costs and expenses by nature	Abstract			ifrs-full:ExpenseByNatureAbstract
883	Personnel	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:EmployeeBenefitsExpenseSellingAndAdministrative
884	Services	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ServicesExpenseSellingAndAdministrative
885	Depreciation and amortization	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:DepreciationAndAmortizationSellingAndAdministrative
886	Others	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherExpenseByNature
887	Selling and administrative expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
888	40503 - Disclosure - Costs and expenses by nature - Other (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureCostsAndExpensesByNatureOtherDetails
889	Disclosure of operating segments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
890	Classes of other provisions [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfProvisionsAxis
891	Other provisions [member]	Member			ifrs-full:OtherProvisionsMember
892	Provision for litigation	Member			ifrs-full:LegalProceedingsProvisionMember
893	Costs and expenses by nature	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
894	Provision	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:NewProvisionsOtherProvisions
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896	Others	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:OperatingExpensesByNatureOthers
897	Others operational expenses (incomes), net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherOperatingIncomeExpense
898	40601 - Disclosure - Financial result (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureFinancialResultDetails
899	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
900	Financial result	Abstract			vale:DisclosureOfFinancialResultAbstract
901	Financial income	Abstract			vale:FinancialIncomeAbstract
902	Short-term investments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:ShortTermInvestmentsFinancialIncome
903	Others	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherFinanceIncome
904	Total financial income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:FinanceIncome
905	Financial expenses	Abstract			vale:FinancialExpensesAbstract
906	Loans and borrowings gross interest	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestExpenseOnBorrowings
907	Capitalized loans and borrowing costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:BorrowingCostsCapitalised
908	Participative stockholders' debentures	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ParticipativeStockholderDebenturesFinancialExpenses
909	Interest on REFIS	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:InterestOnRefisFinancialExpenses
910	Others	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherFinanceCost
911	Total financial expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:FinanceCosts
912	Other financial items	Abstract			vale:OtherFinancialItemsAbstract
913	Net foreign exchange gains (losses) on loans and borrowings	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:ForeignExchangeGainLossBorrowings
914	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnChangeInFairValueOfDerivatives
915	Foreign exchange gain (loss)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
916	Net indexation losses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:IndexationGainsLosses
917	Other financial items	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:OtherFinancialItems
918	Financial results, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:FinanceIncomeCost
919	40701 - Disclosure - Streaming transactions - (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStreamingTransactionsDetails
920	Disclosure of disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDisaggregationOfRevenueFromContractsWithCustomersTable
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922	Entity [Domain]	Member			dei:EntityDomain
923	Wheaton	Member			vale:WheatonPreciousMetalsCorpMember
924	Classes of property, plant and equipment [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis
925	Property, plant and equipment [member]	Member			ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
926	Voisey's Bay mine	Member			vale:VoiseySBayMinePropertyMember
927	Salobo copper mine	Member			vale:SaloboCopperMinePropertyMember
928	Sudbury nickel mine	Member			vale:SudburyNickelMinePropertyMember
929	Products and services [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
930	Products and services [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
931	Sale of the mineral rights	Member			vale:SaleOfMineralRightsMember
932	Counterparties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesAxis
933	Counterparties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesMember
934	Wheaton	Member			vale:WheatonPreciousMetalsCorpMember
935	Cobait 27	Member			vale:Cobait27CapitalCorpMember
936	Deferred revenue-Gold stream transaction	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDisaggregationOfRevenueFromContractsWithCustomersLineItems
937	Number of agreements entered into	Concept (Integer)	For Period		vale:NumberOfAgreementsEnteredInto
938	Right to cobalt extracted (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:RightsToFutureCobaltExtractSold
939	Upfront payment received in cash	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:UpfrontPaymentReceivedInCash
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941	Rights to cobalt equivalent production from January 1, 2021 onwards (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:RightsToFutureCobaltEquivalentProduction
942	Cobalt economic exposure (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:EconomicExposureToCobalt
943	Income recognized from sale of mineral rights	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherOperatingIncomeExpense
944	Additional rights to gold extracted (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:AdditionalRightsToGoldExtracted
945	Rights to gold extracts held by WPM (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:RightsToFutureGoldExtractHeldByAnotherParty
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947	40801 - Disclosure - Income taxes -Deferred tax assets and liabilities (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails
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949	Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsAxis
950	Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsMember
951	Tax losses carryforward	Member			ifrs-full:UnusedTaxLossesMember
952	Employee post retirement obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostRetirementObligationsMember
953	Provision for litigation	Member			vale:ProvisionForLitigationMember
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955	Fair value of financial instruments	Member			vale:FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
956	Allocated goodwill	Member			vale:AllocatedGoodwillMember
957	Others	Member			ifrs-full:OtherTemporaryDifferencesMember
958	Temporary differences	Member			ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceMember
959	Income taxes	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsLineItems
960	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsAbstract
961	Deferred tax asset (liability)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilityAsset
962	40802 - Disclosure - Income taxes -Assets and liabilities (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails
963	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
964	Income taxes	Abstract			ifrs-full:MajorComponentsOfTaxExpenseIncomeAbstract
965	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsAbstract
966	Assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NetDeferredTaxAssets
967	Liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetDeferredTaxLiabilities
968	Net deferred tax asset	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilityAsset
969	40803 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Changes in deferred tax (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesChangesInDeferredTaxDetails
970	Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsTable
971	Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsAxis
972	Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsMember
973	Tax losses carryforward	Member			ifrs-full:UnusedTaxLossesMember
974	Timing differences arising on assets	Member			vale:TimingDifferencesArisingOnAssetsMember
975	Fair value of financial instruments	Member			vale:FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
976	Allocated goodwill	Member			vale:AllocatedGoodwillMember
977	Others	Member			ifrs-full:OtherTemporaryDifferencesMember
978	Income taxes	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsLineItems
979	Changes in deferred tax	Abstract			ifrs-full:ReconciliationOfChangesInDeferredTaxLiabilityAssetAbstract
980	Total	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsAbstract
981	Balance at beginning of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilityAsset
982	Effect in income statement	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:DeferredTaxExpenseIncomeRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
983	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesDeferredTaxLiabilityAsset
984	Other comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
985	Effect of discontinued operations - Effect in income statement	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:IncreaseDecreaseInDiscontinuedOperationsDeferredTaxAssetLiability
986	Effect of discontinued operations - Transfer to net assets held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:TransfersToNetHeldForSaleDeferredTaxAssetsLiability
987	Balance at end of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilityAsset
988	Assets	Abstract			vale:DeferredTaxAssetsAbstract
989	Balance at beginning of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
990	Effect in income statement	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:DeferredTaxExpenseIncomeRecognisedInProfitOrLossDeferredTaxAssets
991	Transfers between asset and liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:TransfersFromDeferredTaxLiability
992	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesDeferredTaxAsset
993	Other comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeDeferredTaxAsset
994	Effect of discontinued operations - Effect in income statement	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredTaxAssetDiscontinuedOperations
995	Effect of discontinued operations - Transfer to net assets held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:TransfersToNetAssetsHeldForSaleDeferredTaxAsset
996	Balance at end of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
997	Liabilities	Abstract			vale:DeferredTaxLabilitiesAbstract
998	Balance at beginning of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetDeferredTaxLiabilities
999	Effect in income statement	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DeferredTaxExpenseIncomeRecognisedInProfitOrLossDeferredTaxLiability
1000	Transfers between asset and liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:TransfersBetweenAssetsAndLiabilityDeferredTaxLiability
1001	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesDeferredTaxLiability
1002	Other comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeDeferredTaxLiability
1003	Balance at end of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetDeferredTaxLiabilities
1004	Limitation of tax loss carryforward in Brazil, as percent of taxable income	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:TaxLossCarryforwardLimitationAsPercentOfTaxableIncome
1005	40804 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Income tax reconciliation (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesIncomeTaxReconciliationDetails
1006	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1007	Income taxes	Abstract			ifrs-full:MajorComponentsOfTaxExpenseIncomeAbstract
1008	Income before income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:AccountingProfit
1009	Statutory rates (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ApplicableTaxRate
1010	Income taxes at statutory rates	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:TaxExpenseIncomeAtApplicableTaxRate
1011	Adjustments that affect the basis of taxes:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ReconciliationOfAverageEffectiveTaxRateAndApplicableTaxRateAbstract
1012	Income tax benefit from interest on stockholders' equity	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:TaxEffectOfInterestOnStockholdersEquity
1013	Tax incentives	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:TaxEffectOfTaxIncentives
1014	Equity results	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:TaxEffectOfEquityResults
1015	Additions (reversals) of tax loss carryforward	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:TaxEffectOfAdditionsReversalsOfTaxLossCarryforward
1016	Unrecognized tax losses of the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:TaxEffectOfTaxLosses
1017	Nondeductible effect of impairment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:TaxEffectOfNondeductibleEffectOfImpairment
1018	Others	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherTaxEffectsForReconciliationBetweenAccountingProfitAndTaxExpenseIncome
1019	Income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
1020	40805 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Tax incentives (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTaxIncentivesDetails
1021	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1022	Income taxes	Abstract			ifrs-full:MajorComponentsOfTaxExpenseIncomeAbstract
1023	Tax incentive period	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		vale:TaxIncentivePeriod
1024	Income tax that can be reinvested on machinery and equipment (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:PercentageOfIncomeTaxReinvestedOnMachineryAndEquipment
1025	Maximum period subject to the revision of income tax by local authorities	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		vale:MaximumOpenTaxPeriod
1026	40806 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Settlement program (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesSettlementProgramDetails
1027	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1028	Income taxes	Abstract			ifrs-full:MajorComponentsOfTaxExpenseIncomeAbstract
1029	Income tax and social contribution settlement liability	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:TaxSettlementLiability
1030	Current income tax and social contribution settlement liability	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:TaxSettlementLiabilityCurrent
1031	Non-current income tax and social contribution settlement liability	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:TaxSettlementLiabilityNonCurrent
1032	Remaining monthly installments of settlement liability	Concept (Integer)	As Of		vale:TaxSettlementLiabilityRemainingNumberOfMonthlyInstallments
1033	SELIC rate (in percentage)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:TaxSettlementLiabilityInterestRate
1034	40901 - Disclosure - Basic and diluted earnings per share (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareDetails
1035	Earnings per share [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareTable
1036	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
1037	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
1038	Common share	Member			ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
1039	Basic and diluted earning per share	LineItems			ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareLineItems
1040	Net income (loss) attributable to Vale's stockholders:	Abstract			vale:BasicAndDilutedEarningsLossFromContinuingOperationsAbstract
1041	Net income from continuing operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncomeFromContinuingOperationsAttributableToOwnersOfParent
1042	Loss from discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncomeFromDiscontinuedOperationsAttributableToOwnersOfParent
1043	Net income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOwnersOfParent
1044	Thousands of shares	Abstract			vale:ThousandsOfSharesAbstract
1045	Weighted average number of shares outstanding - common shares	Concept (Shares)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageShares
1046	Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations:	Abstract			vale:BasicAndDilutedEarningsLossPerShareFromContinuingOperationsAbstract
1047	Common share (US$)	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:BasicAndDilutedEarningsLossPerShareFromContinuingOperations
1048	Basic and diluted loss per share from discontinued operations:	Abstract			vale:BasicAndDilutedLossPerShareFromDiscontinuedOperationsAbstract
1049	Common share (US$)	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:BasicAndDilutedEarningsLossPerShareFromDiscontinuedOperations
1050	Basic and diluted earnings per share:	Abstract			ifrs-full:BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareAbstract
1051	Common share (US$)	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:BasicAndDilutedEarningsLossPerShare
1052	41001 - Disclosure - Accounts receivable (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableDetails
1053	Disclosure of financial assets [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsTable
1054	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1055	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1056	Accounts receivable	Member			ifrs-full:TradeReceivablesMember
1057	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1058	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1059	Carrying amount	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1060	Major customers [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MajorCustomersAxis
1061	Customers [member]	Member			ifrs-full:MajorCustomersMember
1062	Steel industry market	Member			vale:SteelIndustryMarketMember
1063	Accounts receivable	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsLineItems
1064	Accounts receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:TradeReceivables
1065	Expected credit loss	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
1066	Revenue related to the steel sector - %	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:PercentageOfEntitysRevenue
1067	Impairment of accounts receivable recorded in the income statement	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossTradeReceivables
1068	41101 - Disclosure - Inventories (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInventoriesDetails
1069	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1070	Inventories	Abstract			ifrs-full:ClassesOfInventoriesAbstract
1071	Finished products	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinishedGoods
1072	Work in progress	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:WorkInProgress
1073	Consumable inventory	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:SpareParts
1074	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Inventories
1075	Reversal (provision) for net realizable value	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:InventoryWritedown2011
1076	41201 - Disclosure - Recoverable taxes (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureRecoverableTaxesDetails
1077	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1078	Recoverable taxes	Abstract			vale:RecoverableTaxesAbstract
1079	Value-added tax	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:ValueAddedTaxReceivables
1080	Brazilian federal contributions	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:FederalTaxContributionsRecoverableTaxes
1081	Others	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:OthersRecoverableTaxes
1082	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:RecoverableTaxes
1083	Current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:RecoverableTaxesCurrent
1084	Non-current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:RecoverableTaxesNonCurrent
1085	41301 - Disclosure - Other financial assets and liabilities (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureOtherFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails
1086	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1087	Other financial assets and liabilities	Abstract			vale:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutOtherFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract
1088	Other financial assets	Abstract			vale:OtherFinancialAssetsAbstract
1089	Financial investments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:FinancialInvestments
1090	Derivative financial instruments - Current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentDerivativeFinancialAssets
1091	Related parties - Loans - Current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentReceivablesDueFromRelatedParties
1092	Total other financial assets - Current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherCurrentFinancialAssets
1093	Loans - Non-current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentLoansAndReceivables
1094	Derivative financial instruments - Non-current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentDerivativeFinancialAssets
1095	Investments in equity securities -Non- Current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:InvestmentsInEquitySecuritiesNonCurrent
1096	Non-current financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentFinancialAssets
1097	Related parties - Loans - Non-current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentReceivablesDueFromRelatedParties
1098	Total other financial assets - Non-current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentFinancialAssets
1099	Other financial liabilities	Abstract			vale:OtherFinancialLiabilitiesAbstract
1100	Derivative financial instruments - Current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentDerivativeFinancialLiabilities
1101	Related parties - Current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentPayablesToRelatedParties
1102	Total other financial liabilities - Current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherCurrentFinancialLiabilities
1103	Derivative financial instruments - Non-current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentDerivativeFinancialLiabilities
1104	Related parties- Non-Current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentPayablesToRelatedParties
1105	Participative stockholders' debentures - Non-Current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentPortionOfNoncurrentNotesAndDebenturesIssued
1106	Total other financial liabilities - Non-Current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentFinancialLiabilities
1107	Number of debentures issued (in shares)	Concept (Shares)	As Of		vale:DebenturesIssued
1108	Par value of debentures issued	Concept (Share)	As Of		vale:ParValuePerDebenture
1109	Remuneration paid to the participative stockholders debentures	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:RemunerationPaidToParticipativeStockHoldersDebentures
1110	41401 - Disclosure - Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureNonCurrentAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsDetails
1111	Noncurrent assets or disposal groups classified as held for sale [table]	Table	*	*	vale:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleTable
1112	Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAxis
1113	Assets and liabilities not classified as held for sale [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesNotClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
1114	Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale	Member			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
1115	Fertilizers	Member			vale:FertilizerAssetsDisposalGroupDiscontinuedOperationsMember
1116	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
1117	Aggregate continuing and discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregateContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
1118	Discontinued operations	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
1119	Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations	LineItems			vale:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleLineItems
1120	Assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:AssetsAbstract
1121	Accounts receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentTradeReceivables
1122	Inventories	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Inventories
1123	Other current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherCurrentAssets
1124	Investments in associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociates
1125	Property, plant and equipment and Intangible	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndIntangibleAssetsNet
1126	Other non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentAssets
1127	Total assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Assets
1128	Liabilities	Abstract			ifrs-full:LiabilitiesAbstract
1129	Suppliers and contractors	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentPayables
1130	Other current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherCurrentLiabilities
1131	Other non-current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentLiabilities
1132	Total liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Liabilities
1133	Net non-current assets held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
1134	41402 - Disclosure - Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations - Sale of Fertilizers assets (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureNonCurrentAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsSaleOfFertilizersAssetsDetails
1135	Noncurrent assets or disposal groups classified as held for sale [table]	Table	*	*	vale:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleTable
1136	Counterparties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesAxis
1137	Counterparties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesMember
1138	The Mosaic Company ("Mosaic")	Member			vale:MosaicCompanyMember
1139	Yara	Member			vale:YaraInternationalAsaMember
1140	Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAxis
1141	Assets and liabilities not classified as held for sale [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesNotClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
1142	Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale	Member			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
1143	Fertilizers	Member			vale:FertilizerAssetsDisposalGroupDiscontinuedOperationsMember
1144	Cubatao	Member			vale:CubataoMember
1145	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
1146	Aggregate continuing and discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregateContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
1147	Discontinued operations	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
1148	Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations	LineItems			vale:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleLineItems
1149	Cash received from disposal of non-current assets held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromDisposalOfNoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperations
1150	Number of common shares received on disposal of non-current assets held for sale	Concept (Shares)	As Of		vale:NumberOfCommonSharesReceivedFromDisposalOfNonCurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperations
1151	Percentage of total outstanding common shares to be received on disposal of non-current assets held for sale	Concept (Pure)	As Of		vale:PercentageOfTotalOutstandingCommonSharesToBeReceivedOnDisposalOfNonCurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperations
1152	Value of common shares to be received on disposal of non-current assets held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:ValueOfCommonSharesReceivableFromDisposalOfNonCurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperations
1153	Loss recognized on adjustment of net assets held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainLossRecognisedOnMeasurementToFairValueLessCostsToSellOrOnDisposalOfAssetsOrDisposalGroupsConstitutingDiscontinuedOperation
1154	Fair value adjustment to financial investment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTax
1155	Fair value adjustment to financial investment, net of tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
1156	Cash consideration on disposal of non-current assets held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:CashConsiderationReceivableFromDisposalOfNonCurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperations
1157	41403 - Disclosure - Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations - Results of discontinued operations (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureNonCurrentAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsResultsOfDiscontinuedOperationsDetails
1158	Noncurrent assets or disposal groups classified as held for sale [table]	Table	*	*	vale:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleTable
1159	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
1160	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
1161	Fertilizers	Member			vale:FertilizersMember
1162	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
1163	Aggregate continuing and discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregateContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
1164	Discontinued operations	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
1165	Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations	LineItems			vale:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleLineItems
1166	Discontinued operations	Abstract			vale:ProfitLossDiscontinuedOperationsAbstract
1167	Net operating revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:RevenueIncludingDiscontinuedOperations
1168	Cost of goods sold and services rendered	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:CostOfSalesDiscontinuedOperations
1169	Operating expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:OperatingExpenseExcludingCostOfSalesDiscontinuedOperations
1170	Impairment of non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ImpairmentOfNonCurrentAssets
1171	Operating loss	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:OperatingProfitLossFromDiscontinuedOperations
1172	Financial Results, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:FinanceIncomeLossDiscontinuedOperations
1173	Equity results in associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethodDiscontinuedOperations
1174	Income before income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
1175	Income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:TaxExpenseRelatingToGainLossOnDiscontinuanceAndProfitLossFromOrdinaryActivitiesOfDiscontinuedOperations
1176	Loss from discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromDiscontinuedOperations
1177	Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
1178	Loss attributable to Vale's stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncomeFromDiscontinuedOperationsAttributableToOwnersOfParent
1179	41404 - Disclosure - Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations - Cash flows of discontinued operations (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureNonCurrentAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsCashFlowsOfDiscontinuedOperationsDetails
1180	Noncurrent assets or disposal groups classified as held for sale [table]	Table	*	*	vale:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleTable
1181	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
1182	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
1183	Fertilizers	Member			vale:FertilizersMember
1184	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
1185	Aggregate continuing and discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregateContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
1186	Discontinued operations	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
1187	Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations	LineItems			vale:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleLineItems
1188	Discontinued operations	Abstract			vale:CashFlowsFromDiscontinuedOperationsAbstract
1189	Cash flow from operating activities	Abstract			vale:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperationsAbstract
1190	Loss before income taxes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
1191	Adjustments:	Abstract			vale:AdjustmentsToReconcileProfitLossDiscontinuedOperationsAbstract
1192	Equity results in associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:AdjustmentsForGainLossOnDisposalOfInvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociatesDiscontinuedOperations
1193	Depreciation, amortization and depletion	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:AdjustmentsForDepreciationAmortisationAndDepletionExpenseDiscontinuedOperations
1194	Impairment of non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ImpairmentOfNonCurrentAssets
1195	Others	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:OtherInflowsOutflowsOfCashClassifiedAsOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
1196	Increase (decrease) in assets and liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:AdjustmentsForIncreaseDecreaseInAssetsAndLiabilitiesDiscontinuedOperations
1197	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
1198	Cash flow from investing activities	Abstract			vale:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperationsAbstract
1199	Additions to property, plant and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:PurchaseOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentClassifiedAsInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
1200	Others	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:OtherInflowsOutflowsOfCashClassifiedAsInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
1201	Net cash used in investing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
1202	Cash flow from financing activities	Abstract			vale:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperationsAbstract
1203	Repayments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:RepaymentsOfBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
1204	Net cash used in financing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
1205	Net cash used in discontinued operations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndCashEquivalentsDiscontinuedOperations
1206	41501 - Disclosure - Subsidiaries (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureSubsidiariesDetails
1207	Disclosure of subsidiaries [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesTable
1208	Subsidiaries [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
1209	Entity's total for subsidiaries [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
1210	Companhia Portuaria da Baia de Sepetiba	Member			vale:CompanhiaPortuariaDaBaiaDeSepetibaMember
1211	Mineracao Corumbaense Reunida S.A.	Member			vale:MineracaoCorumbaenseReunidaS.a.Member
1212	Mineracoes Brasileiras Reunidas S.A. (MBR)	Member			vale:MineracoesBrasileirasReunidasS.a.MbrMember
1213	Salobo Metais S.A.	Member			vale:SaloboMetaisS.A.Member
1214	PT Vale Indonesia	Member			vale:PTValeIndonesiaMember
1215	Vale International Holdings GmbH	Member			vale:ValeInternationalHoldingsGmbhMember
1216	Vale Canada Limited	Member			vale:ValeCanadaLimitedMember
1217	Vale International S.A.	Member			vale:ValeInternationalS.A.Member
1218	Vale Malaysia Minerals Sdn. Bhd.	Member			vale:ValeMalaysiaMineralsSdn.Bhd.Member
1219	Vale Manganes S.A.	Member			vale:ValeManganesS.a.Member
1220	Vale Mocambique S.A.	Member			vale:ValeMocambiqueS.a.Member
1221	Vale Nouvelle Caledonie S.A.S.	Member			vale:ValeNouvelleCaledonieS.A.S.Member
1222	Vale Oman Distribution Center LLC	Member			vale:ValeOmanDistributionCenterLLCMember
1223	Vale Oman Pelletizing Company LLC	Member			vale:ValeOmanPelletizingCompanyLLCMember
1224	Compania Minera Miski Mayo S.A.C.	Member			vale:CompaniaMineraMiskiMayoS.a.c.Member
1225	Vale Fertilizantes S.A.	Member			vale:ValeFertilizantesS.A.Member
1226	Vale Cubatao Fertilizantes Ltda.	Member			vale:ValeCubataoFertilizantesLtdaMember
1227	Continuing and discontinued operations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
1228	Aggregate continuing and discontinued operations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregateContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
1229	Discontinued operations	Member			ifrs-full:DiscontinuedOperationsMember
1230	Basis for preparation of the financial statements	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesLineItems
1231	Ownership interest in subsidiary (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
1232	% Voting capital	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfVotingPowerHeldInSubsidiary
1233	% Noncontrolling interest	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestsHeldByNoncontrollingInterests
1234	41601 - Disclosure - Investments in associates and joint ventures - Ownership and voting capital (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInAssociatesAndJointVenturesOwnershipAndVotingCapitalDetails
1235	Disclosure of associates [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesTable
1236	Joint ventures [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
1237	Entity's total for joint ventures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
1238	Alianca Geracao de Energia S.A.	Member			vale:AlianaGeraoDeEnergiaS.a.Member
1239	Companhia Coreano-Brasileira de Pelotizacao	Member			vale:CompanhiaCoreanoBrasileiraDePelotizacaoMember
1240	Companhia Hispano-Brasileira de Pelotizacao	Member			vale:CompanhiaHispanoBrasileiraDePelotizacaoMember
1241	Companhia Italo-Brasileira de Pelotizacao	Member			vale:CompanhiaItaloBrasileiraDePelotizacaoMember
1242	Companhia Nipo-Brasileira de Pelotizacao	Member			vale:CompanhiaNipoBrasileiraDePelotizacaoMember
1243	Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem ("CSP")	Member			vale:CompanhiaSiderurgicaDoPecemCspMember
1244	MRS Logistica S.A.	Member			vale:MrsLogisticaS.a.Member
1245	Nacala BV	Member			vale:NacalaCorridorHoldingNetherlandsB.V.Member
1246	Baovale Mineracao S.A	Member			vale:BaovaleMineracaoS.aMember
1247	California Steel Industries, Inc	Member			vale:CaliforniaSteelIndustriesIncMember
1248	Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem	Member			vale:CompanhiaSiderurgicaDoPecemMember
1249	Alianca Norte Energia Participacoes S.A.	Member			vale:AliancaNorteEnergiaParticipacoesS.a.Member
1250	Samarco Mineracao S.A.	Member			vale:SamarcoMineracaoS.a.Member
1251	Associates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
1252	Entity's total for associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
1253	Henan Longyu Energy Resources Co., Ltd.	Member			vale:HenanLongyuEnergyResourcesCo.Ltd.Member
1254	VLI S.A.	Member			vale:VliS.a.Member
1255	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
1256	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
1257	Ferrous minerals	Member			vale:FerrousMineralsMember
1258	Others	Member			ifrs-full:AllOtherSegmentsMember
1259	Investments in associates and joint ventures	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesLineItems
1260	% Ownership	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVenture
1261	% Voting capital	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfVotingRightsHeldInJointVenture
1262	% Noncontrolling interest	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVentureHeldByOtherInvestors
1263	% Ownership	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInAssociate
1264	% Voting capital	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfVotingPowerHeldInAssociate
1265	% Noncontrolling interest	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInAssociateHeldByOtherInvestors
1266	41602 - Disclosure - Investments in associates and joint ventures - Changes during the year (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInAssociatesAndJointVenturesChangesDuringYearDetails
1267	Disclosure of associates [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesTable
1268	Joint ventures [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
1269	Entity's total for joint ventures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
1270	Joint ventures	Member			ifrs-full:JointVenturesMember
1271	Associates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
1272	Entity's total for associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
1273	Associates	Member			ifrs-full:AssociatesMember
1274	Ultrafertil	Member			vale:UltrafertilMember
1275	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
1276	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
1277	Coal	Member			vale:CoalMember
1278	Others	Member			ifrs-full:AllOtherSegmentsMember
1279	Investments in associates and joint ventures	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesLineItems
1280	Balance at the beginning	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociates
1281	Additions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:AdditionsInInvestmentsInJointVenturesAndAssociates
1282	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:InvestmentsInJointVenturesAndAssociatesTranslationAdjustment
1283	Equity results in income statement	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1284	Equity results in statement of comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ShareOfTotalComprehensiveIncomeOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1285	Dividends declared	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DividendsDeclaredByInvestmentsInAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1286	Impairment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ImpairmentLoss
1287	Transfer to held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:InvestmentsInAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethodTransferredToHeldForSale
1288	Others	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:OtherIncreaseDecreaseInInvestmentsInAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1289	Balance at the end	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociates
1290	Ownership interest held	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInAssociate
1291	41603 - Disclosure - Investments in associates and joint ventures - Acquisitions and divestiture (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInAssociatesAndJointVenturesAcquisitionsAndDivestitureDetails
1292	Disclosure of associates [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesTable
1293	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
1294	Entity's total for business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
1295	New Steel	Member			vale:NewSteelMember
1296	Non-adjusting events after reporting period [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:NonadjustingEventsAfterReportingPeriodAxis
1297	Non-adjusting events after reporting period [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NonadjustingEventsMember
1298	Acquisition	Member			ifrs-full:MajorBusinessCombinationMember
1299	Joint ventures [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
1300	Entity's total for joint ventures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
1301	Nacala BV	Member			vale:NacalaCorridorHoldingNetherlandsB.V.Member
1302	Associates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
1303	Entity's total for associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
1304	Thyssenkrupp Companhia Siderurgica do Atlantico Ltd	Member			vale:ThyssenkruppCompanhiaSiderurgicaDoAtlanticoLtdMember
1305	Nacala Logistics Corridor	Member			vale:NacalaLogisticCorridorMember
1306	Subsidiaries [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
1307	Entity's total for subsidiaries [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
1308	Nacala Logistics Corridor	Member			vale:NacalaLogisticCorridorMember
1309	Vale Mocambique S.A.	Member			vale:ValeMocambiqueS.a.Member
1310	Counterparties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesAxis
1311	Counterparties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CounterpartiesMember
1312	Ferrous Resources Limited	Member			vale:FerrousResourcesLimitedMember
1313	Mitsui & Co., Ltd	Member			vale:MitsuiCo.LtdMember
1314	Assets and liabilities [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesAxis
1315	Assets and liabilities [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesMember
1316	Property, plant and equipment and intangibles	Member			vale:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndIntangiblesMember
1317	Cash and cash equivalents	Member			vale:CashAndCashEquivalentsCurrentMember
1318	Investments in associates and joint ventures	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesLineItems
1319	Purchase of mining assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PurchaseOfMiningAssets
1320	Total consideration	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AcquisitiondateFairValueOfTotalConsiderationTransferred
1321	Number of countries in which patents of dry processing concentration are owned	Concept (Integer)	For Period		vale:NumberOfCountriesInWhichPatentsOfDryProcessingConcentrationAreOwned
1322	Percentage of ownership sold in subsidiaries	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:ProportionOfOwnershipInSubsidiariesSold
1323	Ownership held (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
1324	Ownership held to be sold (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:ProportionOfOwnershipInSubsidiariesToBeSold
1325	Acquisitions and disposal of noncontrolling interest	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInOwnershipInterestsInSubsidiariesThatDoNotResultInLossOfControl
1326	Consideration received from the sale of interest in subsidiary	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromChangesInOwnershipInterestsInSubsidiaries
1327	Percentage of ownership sold	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:ProportionOfOwnershipInAssociatesSold
1328	Derecognized the assets and liabilities classified as held for sale	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:DerecognizedAssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSale
1329	Recognized a gain in the income statement related to the sale and the re-measurement at fair value	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitsLossesOnDisposalOfInvestmentsAndChangesInValueOfInvestments
1330	Reclassification of gain related to the cumulative translation adjustments on to income statements	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnCashFlowHedgesNetOfTax
1331	Proceeds from disposal of assets and investments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ProceedsFromDisposalOfAssetsAndInvestmentsClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
1332	Transactions with noncontrolling stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:PaymentsFromProceedsFromTransactionsWithNoncontrollingInterestsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
1333	% Ownership	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInAssociate
1334	Losses on disposals of investments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:LossesOnDisposalsOfInvestments
1335	41604 - Disclosure - Investments in associates and joint ventures -Carrying amount, equity in results and dividend received (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInAssociatesAndJointVenturesCarryingAmountEquityInResultsAndDividendReceivedDetails
1336	Disclosure of associates [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesTable
1337	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
1338	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
1339	Ferrous minerals	Member			vale:FerrousMineralsMember
1340	Coal	Member			vale:CoalMember
1341	Base metals	Member			vale:BaseMetalsMember
1342	Others	Member			ifrs-full:AllOtherSegmentsMember
1343	Joint ventures [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
1344	Entity's total for joint ventures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
1345	Baovale Mineracao S.A	Member			vale:BaovaleMineracaoS.aMember
1346	Companhia Coreano-Brasileira de Pelotizacao	Member			vale:CompanhiaCoreanoBrasileiraDePelotizacaoMember
1347	Companhia Hispano-Brasileira de Pelotizacao	Member			vale:CompanhiaHispanoBrasileiraDePelotizacaoMember
1348	Companhia Italo-Brasileira de Pelotizacao	Member			vale:CompanhiaItaloBrasileiraDePelotizacaoMember
1349	Companhia Nipo-Brasileira de Pelotizacao	Member			vale:CompanhiaNipoBrasileiraDePelotizacaoMember
1350	MRS Logistica S.A.	Member			vale:MrsLogisticaS.a.Member
1351	Samarco Mineracao S.A.	Member			vale:SamarcoMineracaoS.a.Member
1352	Teal Minerals Inc.	Member			vale:TealMineralsInc.Member
1353	Alianca Geracao de Energia S.A.	Member			vale:AlianaGeraoDeEnergiaS.a.Member
1354	Alianca Norte Energia Participacoes S.A.	Member			vale:AliancaNorteEnergiaParticipacoesS.a.Member
1355	California Steel Industries, Inc	Member			vale:CaliforniaSteelIndustriesIncMember
1356	Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem	Member			vale:CompanhiaSiderurgicaDoPecemMember
1357	Associates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
1358	Entity's total for associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
1359	VLI S.A.	Member			vale:VliS.a.Member
1360	Zhuhai YPM Pellet Co	Member			vale:ZhuhaiYpmPelletCoMember
1361	Henan Longyu Energy Resources Co., Ltd.	Member			vale:HenanLongyuEnergyResourcesCo.Ltd.Member
1362	Korea Nickel Corp	Member			vale:KoreaNickelCorpMember
1363	Mineracao Rio Grande do Norte S.A.	Member			vale:MineracaoRioGrandeDoNorteS.a.Member
1364	Others	Member			vale:OthersInvestmentsInJointVenturesOrAssociatesMember
1365	Investments in associates and joint ventures	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesLineItems
1366	% Voting capital	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfVotingRightsHeldInJointVenture
1367	% Ownership	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInAssociate
1368	% Voting capital	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfVotingPowerHeldInAssociate
1369	Investments in associates and joint ventures	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociates
1370	Equity results in income statement	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1371	Dividends received	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsReceived
1372	41605 - Disclosure - Investments in associates and joint ventures - Financial information (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInAssociatesAndJointVenturesFinancialInformationDetails
1373	Disclosure of associates [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesTable
1374	Joint ventures [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
1375	Entity's total for joint ventures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
1376	Alianca Geracao de Energia S.A.	Member			vale:AlianaGeraoDeEnergiaS.a.Member
1377	Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem	Member			vale:CompanhiaSiderurgicaDoPecemMember
1378	Pelletizing	Member			vale:PelletizingMember
1379	MRS Logistica S.A.	Member			vale:MrsLogisticaS.a.Member
1380	Associates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
1381	Entity's total for associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
1382	Henan Longyu Energy Resources Co., Ltd.	Member			vale:HenanLongyuEnergyResourcesCo.Ltd.Member
1383	VLI S.A.	Member			vale:VliS.a.Member
1384	Investments in associates and joint ventures	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesLineItems
1385	Current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
1386	Non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
1387	Total assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Assets
1388	Current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
1389	Non-current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilities
1390	Total liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Liabilities
1391	Stockholders' equity	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
1392	Net income (loss)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromContinuingOperations
1393	Number of joint ventures accounted under equity method	Concept (Integer)	For Period		vale:NumberOfJointVenturesAccountedUnderEquityMethod
1394	41701 - Disclosure - Noncontrolling interest - Financial information (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureNoncontrollingInterestFinancialInformationDetails
1395	Disclosure of subsidiaries [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesTable
1396	Subsidiaries [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
1397	Entity's total for subsidiaries [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
1398	Mineracoes Brasileiras Reunidas S.A. (MBR)	Member			vale:MineracoesBrasileirasReunidasS.a.MbrMember
1399	PT Vale Indonesia	Member			vale:PTValeIndonesiaMember
1400	Vale Nouvelle Caledonie S.A.S.	Member			vale:ValeNouvelleCaledonieS.A.S.Member
1401	Vale Mocambique S.A.	Member			vale:ValeMocambiqueS.a.Member
1402	Compania Minera Miski Mayo S.A.C.	Member			vale:CompaniaMineraMiskiMayoS.a.c.Member
1403	Others	Member			vale:OtherSubsidiariesWithMaterialNonControllingInterestMember
1404	Summarized financial information	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesLineItems
1405	Current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
1406	Non-current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
1407	Related parties - Stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:RelatedPartiesStockholdersAssets
1408	Total assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Assets
1409	Current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
1410	Non-current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilities
1411	Related parties - Stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:RelatedPartiesStockholdersLiabilities
1412	Total liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Liabilities
1413	Stockholders' equity	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
1414	Equity attributable to noncontrolling interests	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterests
1415	Net income (loss)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
1416	Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
1417	Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToNoncontrollingInterests
1418	41801 - Disclosure - Intangibles - Changes in Intangibles (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureIntangiblesChangesInIntangiblesDetails
1419	Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillTable
1420	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1421	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1422	Carrying amount	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1423	Accumulated amortization	Member			ifrs-full:AccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentMember
1424	Classes of intangible assets and goodwill [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillAxis
1425	Intangible assets and goodwill [member]	Member			ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillMember
1426	Goodwill	Member			ifrs-full:GoodwillMember
1427	Concessions	Member			vale:IfrsConcessionsMember
1428	Right of use	Member			ifrs-full:CopyrightsPatentsAndOtherIndustrialPropertyRightsServiceAndOperatingRightsMember
1429	Software	Member			ifrs-full:ComputerSoftwareMember
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1432	Additions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdditionsOtherThanThroughBusinessCombinationsIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1433	Disposals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DisposalsIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1434	Amortization	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:AmortisationIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1435	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1436	Merger of Valepar	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AcquisitionsThroughBusinessCombinationsIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1437	Balance at end of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill
1438	41802 - Disclosure - Intangibles - Estimated useful lives (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureIntangiblesEstimatedUsefulLivesDetails
1439	Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsTable
1440	Classes of intangible assets other than goodwill [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillAxis
1441	Intangible assets other than goodwill [member]	Member			ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillMember
1442	Concessions	Member			vale:IfrsConcessionsMember
1443	Right of use	Member			ifrs-full:CopyrightsPatentsAndOtherIndustrialPropertyRightsServiceAndOperatingRightsMember
1444	Software	Member			ifrs-full:ComputerSoftwareMember
1445	Range [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
1446	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
1447	Minimum	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
1448	Maximum	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
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1450	Useful life	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		vale:UsefulLivesIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1451	41901 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment - Changes (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentChangesDetails
1452	Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable
1453	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
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1455	Carrying amount	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1456	Accumulated amortization	Member			ifrs-full:AccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentMember
1457	Classes of property, plant and equipment [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis
1458	Property, plant and equipment [member]	Member			ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
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1460	Building	Member			ifrs-full:BuildingsMember
1461	Facilities	Member			vale:FacilitiesMember
1462	Equipment	Member			ifrs-full:MachineryMember
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1465	Constructions in progress	Member			ifrs-full:ConstructionInProgressMember
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1474	Transfers	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1475	Balance at end of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
1476	41902 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment - Disposal of assets (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisposalOfAssetsDetails
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1480	Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale	Member			ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
1481	Shipping assets	Member			vale:ShippingAssetsDisposalGroupHeldForSaleMember
1482	Classes of property, plant and equipment [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis
1483	Property, plant and equipment [member]	Member			ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
1484	VLOC's	Member			vale:VeryLargeOreCarriersMember
1485	Floating Transfer Stations	Member			vale:FloatingTransferStationsMember
1486	Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations	LineItems			vale:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleLineItems
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1491	41903 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment - Estimated useful lives (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentEstimatedUsefulLivesDetails
1492	Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable
1493	Classes of property, plant and equipment [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis
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1497	Equipment	Member			ifrs-full:MachineryMember
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1499	Wagon	Member			vale:WagonMember
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1501	Ships	Member			ifrs-full:ShipsMember
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1503	Range [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
1504	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
1505	Minimum	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
1506	Maximum	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
1507	Property, plant and equipment	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
1508	Useful life	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		vale:UsefulLivesPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1509	42001 - Disclosure - Impairment and onerous contracts (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureImpairmentAndOnerousContractsDetails
1510	Disclosure of impairment loss and reversal of impairment loss [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfImpairmentLossAndReversalOfImpairmentLossTable
1511	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
1512	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
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1514	Coal	Member			vale:CoalMember
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1516	Several segments	Member			vale:SeveralSegmentsOtherThanOreMember
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1519	Non-current assets	Member			vale:NonCurrentAssetsMember
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1522	Individual assets or cash-generating units [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsAxis
1523	Entity's total for individual assets or cash-generating units [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForIndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1524	North system	Member			vale:NorthSystemMember
1525	Australia	Member			country:AU
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1531	Ferrous minerals	Member			vale:FerrousMineralsMember
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1534	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
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1537	Impairment and onerous contracts	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfImpairmentLossAndReversalOfImpairmentLossLineItems
1538	Impairment loss	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ImpairmentLoss
1539	Reversal of impairment loss	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ReversalOfImpairmentLoss
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1544	42101 - Disclosure - Loans, borrowings and cash and cash equivalents - Loans and borrowings (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLoansBorrowingsAndCashAndCashEquivalentsLoansAndBorrowingsDetails
1545	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1546	Loans and borrowings	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsAbstract
1547	Loans and borrowings secured by property, plant and equipment and receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:SecuredBankLoansReceived
1548	42102 - Disclosure - Loans, borrowings and cash and cash equivalents - Total debt (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLoansBorrowingsAndCashAndCashEquivalentsTotalDebtDetails
1549	Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsTable
1550	Currency [Axis]	Axis			srt:CurrencyAxis
1551	All Currencies [Domain]	Member			currency:AllCurrenciesDomain
1552	US$	Member			currency:USD
1553	EUR	Member			currency:EUR
1554	R$	Member			currency:BRL
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1556	Loans and borrowings	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsLineItems
1557	Current debt, before accrued charges	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:CurrentBorrowingsAndCurrentPortionOfNonCurrentBorrowingsGross
1558	Non-current debt, before accrued charges	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:LongtermBorrowingsGross
1559	Current debt, accrued charges	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:CurrentBorrowingsAndCurrentPortionOfNonCurrentBorrowingsAccruedCharges
1560	Non-current debt, accrued charges	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:NonCurrentBorrowingsAndCurrentPortionOfNonCurrentBorrowingsAccruedCharges
1561	Current debt	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentBorrowingsAndCurrentPortionOfNoncurrentBorrowings
1562	Non-current	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowings
1563	42103 - Disclosure - Loans, borrowings and cash and cash equivalents - Debt payments (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLoansBorrowingsAndCashAndCashEquivalentsDebtPaymentsDetails
1564	Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsTable
1565	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1566	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1567	2019	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
1568	2020	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
1569	2021	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanTwoYearsAndNotLaterThanThreeYearsMember
1570	2022	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeYearsAndNotLaterThanFourYearsMember
1571	Between 2023 and 2027	Member			vale:LaterThanFourYearsAndNotLaterThanSevenYearsMember
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1573	Loans and borrowings	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsLineItems
1574	Principal	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:BorrowingsUndiscountedCashFlows
1575	Estimated future interest payments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:InterestFuturePaymentsOfBorrowings
1576	42104 - Disclosure - Loans, borrowings and cash and cash equivalents - Reconciliation of debt to cash flows arising from financing activities (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLoansBorrowingsAndCashAndCashEquivalentsReconciliationOfDebtToCashFlowsArisingFromFinancingActivitiesDetails
1577	Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsTable
1578	Borrowings by name [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
1579	Borrowings by name [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
1580	4.625% guaranteed notes due 2020	Member			vale:Guaranteed4.625NotesDue2020Member
1581	5.875% guaranteed notes due 2021	Member			vale:Guaranteed5.875NotesDue2021Member
1582	6.875% guaranteed notes due 2036	Member			vale:Guaranteed6.875NotesDue2036Member
1583	5.625% guaranteed notes due 2042	Member			vale:Guaranteed5.625NotesDue2042Member
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1585	Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsLineItems
1586	Loans and borrowings at beginning of the period	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
1587	Additions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:IncreaseThroughFinancingCashFlowsLiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
1588	Repayments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:DecreaseThroughFinancingCashFlowsLiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
1589	Interest paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:DecreaseThroughInterestPaidLiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
1590	Cash flow from financing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInLiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
1591	Effect of exchange rate	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughEffectOfChangesInForeignExchangeRatesLiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
1592	Interest accretion	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:IncreaseThroughInterestAccretionLiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
1593	Non-cash changes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:IncreaseDecreaseInNonCashChangesInLiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
1594	Loans and borrowings at end of the period	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivities
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1597	Interest rate (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:BorrowingsInterestRate
1598	42105 - Disclosure - Loans, borrowings and cash and cash equivalents - Policy (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLoansBorrowingsAndCashAndCashEquivalentsPolicyDetails
1599	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1600	Loans and borrowings	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsAbstract
1601	Capitalization rate (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:CapitalisationRateOfBorrowingCostsEligibleForCapitalisation
1602	42106 - Disclosure - Loans, borrowings and cash and cash equivalents - Liquidity risk (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLoansBorrowingsAndCashAndCashEquivalentsLiquidityRiskDetails
1603	Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsTable
1604	Borrowings by name [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
1605	Borrowings by name [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
1606	Credit facilities maturing in 2020 And 2022	Member			vale:CreditFacilitiesMaturingIn2020And2022Member
1607	Loans and borrowings	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsLineItems
1608	Number of credit facilities that mature in 2020 and 2022	Concept (Integer)	As Of		vale:NumberOfCreditFacilities
1609	Notional amount	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:NotionalAmount
1610	42201 - Disclosure - Liabilities related to associates and joint ventures - Framework agreement (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLiabilitiesRelatedToAssociatesAndJointVenturesFrameworkAgreementDetails
1611	Disclosure of other provisions [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsTable
1612	Litigations case [axis]	Axis			vale:LitigationsCaseAxis
1613	Litigations case [domain]	Member			vale:LitigationsCaseDomain
1614	Dam failure of Samarco	Member			vale:DamFailureOfSamarcoMember
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1616	Joint ventures [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
1617	Entity's total for joint ventures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
1618	Samarco	Member			vale:SamarcoMineraoS.A.Member
1619	Events with significant effect on the income statement	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsLineItems
1620	Framework agreement	Abstract			vale:FrameworkAgreementAbstract
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1625	42202 - Disclosure - Liabilities related to associates and joint ventures - Movements of provision (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLiabilitiesRelatedToAssociatesAndJointVenturesMovementsOfProvisionDetails
1626	Disclosure of other provisions [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsTable
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1630	Events with significant effect on the income statement	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsLineItems
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1637	Current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
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1642	42203 - Disclosure - Liabilities related to associates and joint ventures - Samarco financial information (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLiabilitiesRelatedToAssociatesAndJointVenturesSamarcoFinancialInformationDetails
1643	Disclosure of other provisions [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsTable
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1658	42301 - Disclosure - Financial instruments classification (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsClassificationDetails
1659	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
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1942	Environmental litigation	Member			vale:EnvironmentalLitigationMember
1943	Events with significant effect on the income statement	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsLineItems
1944	Judicial deposits	Abstract			vale:JudicialDepositsAbstract
1945	Deposits with court	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:JudicialDepositsToSecurePotentialAdverseOutcomeOfCertainLawsuits
1946	Bank guarantees for judicial deposits	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:GuaranteeObligationsBankGuarantee
1947	Annual cost (in percent)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:AnnualCostOfBankGuarantees
1948	42804 - Disclosure - Litigation - Contingencies related to Samarco accident (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLitigationContingenciesRelatedToSamarcoAccidentDetails
1949	Disclosure of contingent liabilities [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesTable
1950	Classes of contingent liabilities [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfContingentLiabilitiesAxis
1951	Contingent liabilities [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ContingentLiabilitiesMember
1952	Legal proceedings	Member			ifrs-full:LegalProceedingsContingentLiabilityMember
1953	Public civil claim filed by the Federal Government and others	Member			vale:PublicCivilClaimFiledByFederalGovernmentAndOthersMember
1954	Public Civil Lawsuit by Federal Government	Member			vale:PublicCivilLawsuitByFederalGovernmentMember
1955	Public civil action filed by Federal Prosecution Office	Member			vale:PublicCivilActionFiledByFederalProsecutionOfficeMember
1956	U.S. Securities class action suits	Member			vale:U.s.SecuritiesClassActionSuitsMember
1957	Contingencies	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesLineItems
1958	Amount of claims	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:IfrsLossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
1959	Number of defendants named in a legal action	Concept (Integer)	For Period		vale:IfrsLossContingencyNumberOfDefendants
1960	42805 - Disclosure - Litigation - Contingencies assets (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureLitigationContingenciesAssetsDetails
1961	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1962	Litigation	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesAbstract
1963	Contingent assets	Abstract			vale:ContingentAssetsAbstract
1964	Enforceable action	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:AmountsSubjectToEnforceableLegalItems
1965	Number of judicial proceedings	Concept (Integer)	As Of		vale:NumberOfJudicialProceedings
1966	Number of favorable judicial decision reached	Concept (Integer)	For Period		vale:NumberOfFavorableJudicialDecisionReached
1967	42901 - Disclosure - Employee Benefits - Change in benefit obligation (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsChangeInBenefitObligationDetails
1968	Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetTable
1969	Defined benefit plans [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
1970	Defined benefit plans [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
1971	Employee postretirements obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostretirementsObligationsMember
1972	Overfunded pension plans	Member			vale:OverfundedPensionPlansMember
1973	Underfunded pension plans	Member			vale:UnderfundedPensionPlansMember
1974	Other benefits	Member			vale:OtherBenefitsMember
1975	Net defined benefit liability (asset) [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAxis
1976	Net defined benefit liability (asset) [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetMember
1977	Present value of the defined benefit obligations	Member			ifrs-full:PresentValueOfDefinedBenefitObligationMember
1978	Change in benefit obligation	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetLineItems
1979	Benefit obligation (Plan assets) as at beginning of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
1980	Service costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentServiceCostNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
1981	Interest costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestExpenseIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
1982	Benefits paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:PaymentsFromPlanNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
1983	Participant contributions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ContributionsToPlanByPlanParticipantsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
1984	Effect of changes in the actuarial assumptions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ActuarialGainsLossesArisingFromChangesInFinancialAssumptionsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
1985	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInForeignExchangeRatesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
1986	Benefit obligation (Plan assets) as at end of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
1987	42902 - Disclosure - Employee Benefits - Evolution of assets fair value (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsEvolutionOfAssetsFairValueDetails
1988	Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetTable
1989	Defined benefit plans [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
1990	Defined benefit plans [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
1991	Employee postretirements obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostretirementsObligationsMember
1992	Overfunded pension plans	Member			vale:OverfundedPensionPlansMember
1993	Underfunded pension plans	Member			vale:UnderfundedPensionPlansMember
1994	Other benefits	Member			vale:OtherBenefitsMember
1995	Net defined benefit liability (asset) [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAxis
1996	Net defined benefit liability (asset) [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetMember
1997	Plan assets	Member			ifrs-full:PlanAssetsMember
1998	Evolution of assets fair value	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetLineItems
1999	Fair value of plan assets as at beginning of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
2000	Interest income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestExpenseIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
2001	Employer contributions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ContributionsToPlanByEmployerNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
2002	Participant contributions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ContributionsToPlanByPlanParticipantsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
2003	Benefits paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:PaymentsFromPlanNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
2004	Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ReturnOnPlanAssetsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
2005	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInForeignExchangeRatesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
2006	Fair value of plan assets as at end of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
2007	42903 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Reconciliation of assets and liabilities recognized in the statement of financial position (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsReconciliationOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesRecognizedInStatementOfFinancialPositionDetails
2008	Disclosure of defined benefit plans [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansTable
2009	Defined benefit plans [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
2010	Defined benefit plans [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
2011	Employee postretirements obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostretirementsObligationsMember
2012	Overfunded pension plans	Member			vale:OverfundedPensionPlansMember
2013	Underfunded pension plans	Member			vale:UnderfundedPensionPlansMember
2014	Other benefits	Member			vale:OtherBenefitsMember
2015	Net defined benefit liability (asset) [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAxis
2016	Net defined benefit liability (asset) [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetMember
2017	Present value of the defined benefit obligations	Member			ifrs-full:PresentValueOfDefinedBenefitObligationMember
2018	Plan assets	Member			ifrs-full:PlanAssetsMember
2019	Asset ceiling	Member			ifrs-full:EffectOfAssetCeilingMember
2020	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
2021	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
2022	Plans in Brazil	Member			ifrs-full:CountryOfDomicileMember
2023	Foreign plan	Member			ifrs-full:ForeignCountriesMember
2024	Reconciliation of assets and liabilities recognized in the statement of financial position	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansLineItems
2025	Benefit obligation (Plan assets) as at beginning of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
2026	Interest income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestExpenseIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
2027	Changes on asset ceiling and onerous liability	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:GainLossOnChangesInEffectOfLimitingNetDefinedBenefitAssetToAssetCeiling
2028	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInForeignExchangeRatesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
2029	Benefit obligation (Plan assets) as at end of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
2030	Current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentProvisionsForEmployeeBenefits
2031	Non-current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NoncurrentProvisionsForEmployeeBenefits
2032	Liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:ProvisionsForEmployeeBenefits
2033	42904 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Costs recognized in the income statement (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsCostsRecognizedInIncomeStatementDetails
2034	Disclosure of defined benefit plans [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansTable
2035	Defined benefit plans [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
2036	Defined benefit plans [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
2037	Employee postretirements obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostretirementsObligationsMember
2038	Overfunded pension plans	Member			vale:OverfundedPensionPlansMember
2039	Underfunded pension plans	Member			vale:UnderfundedPensionPlansMember
2040	Other benefits	Member			vale:OtherBenefitsMember
2041	Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansLineItems
2042	Costs recognized in the income statement	Abstract			vale:ComponentsOfCostsRecognizedInIncomeStatementAbstract
2043	Service cost	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ServiceCostDefinedBenefitPlans
2044	Interest on expense on liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:InterestOnExpenseOnLiabilitiesDefinedBenefitPlans
2045	Interest income on plan assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:InterestIncomeOnPlanAssetsDefinedBenefitPlans
2046	Interest expense on effect of (asset ceiling)/ onerous liability	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:InterestExpenseOnAssetCeilingOrOnerousLiabilityDefinedBenefitPlans
2047	Total of cost, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:PostemploymentBenefitExpenseDefinedBenefitPlans
2048	42905 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Costs recognized in the statement of comprehensive income (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsCostsRecognizedInStatementOfComprehensiveIncomeDetails
2049	Disclosure of defined benefit plans [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansTable
2050	Defined benefit plans [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
2051	Defined benefit plans [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
2052	Employee postretirements obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostretirementsObligationsMember
2053	Overfunded pension plans	Member			vale:OverfundedPensionPlansMember
2054	Underfunded pension plans	Member			vale:UnderfundedPensionPlansMember
2055	Other benefits	Member			vale:OtherBenefitsMember
2056	Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansLineItems
2057	Costs recognized in the statement of comprehensive income	Abstract			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillNotBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTaxAbstract
2058	Balance at beginning of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlans
2059	Effect of changes actuarial assumptions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxEffectOfChangesActuarialAssumptionsOfDefinedBenefitPlans
2060	Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxReturnOnPlanAssetsExcludingInterestIncomeOfDefinedBenefitPlans
2061	Change of asset ceiling / costly liabilities (excluding interest income)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxChangeOfAssetCeilingAndLiabilitiesOfDefinedBenefitPlans
2062	Others	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxOthersLossGainsOfDefinedBenefitPlans
2063	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTaxGainsLossesOnRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlans
2064	Deferred income tax	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlansOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
2065	Other comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncome
2066	Translation adjustments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:TranslationAdjustmentsDefinedBenefitPlans
2067	Transfers/ disposal	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTransfersOrDisposalDefinedBenefitPlans
2068	Accumulated other comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlans
2069	42906 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Actuarial and economic assumptions and sensitivity analysis (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsActuarialAndEconomicAssumptionsAndSensitivityAnalysisDetails
2070	Disclosure of sensitivity analysis for actuarial assumptions [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSensitivityAnalysisForActuarialAssumptionsTable
2071	Defined benefit plans [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
2072	Defined benefit plans [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
2073	Employee postretirements obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostretirementsObligationsMember
2074	Overfunded pension plans	Member			vale:OverfundedPensionPlansMember
2075	Underfunded pension plans	Member			vale:UnderfundedPensionPlansMember
2076	Other benefits	Member			vale:OtherBenefitsMember
2077	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
2078	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
2079	Plans in Brazil	Member			ifrs-full:CountryOfDomicileMember
2080	Foreign plan	Member			ifrs-full:ForeignCountriesMember
2081	Range [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
2082	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
2083	Minimum	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
2084	Maximum	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
2085	Actuarial assumptions [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionsAxis
2086	Actuarial assumptions [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionsMember
2087	Discount rate	Member			ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfDiscountRatesMember
2088	Actuarial and economic assumptions and sensitivity analysis	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSensitivityAnalysisForActuarialAssumptionsLineItems
2089	Profitability projections of investments period (in years)	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		vale:PeriodForProfitabilityProjectionsOfInvestments
2090	Discount rate to determine benefit obligation	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfDiscountRates
2091	Nominal average rate to determine expense/ income	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:ActuarialAssumptionOfNominalAverageRateOfExpenseOrIncome
2092	Nominal average rate of salary increase	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfSalaryIncreases
2093	Nominal average rate of benefit increase	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfPensionIncreases
2094	Immediate health care cost trend rate	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfMedicalCostTrendRates
2095	Ultimate health care cost trend rate	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:ActuarialAssumptionOfUltimateMedicalCostTrendRates
2096	Nominal average rate of price inflation	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfInflation
2097	Percentage of reasonably possible increase in actuarial assumption	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:PercentageOfReasonablyPossibleIncreaseInActuarialAssumption
2098	Nominal discount rate-1% increase - Actuarial liability balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInDefinedBenefitObligationDueToReasonablyPossibleIncreaseInActuarialAssumption
2099	Assumptions made (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:ActuarialAssumptionOfDiscountRateIncreaseInAssumption
2100	Percentage of reasonably possible decrease in actuarial assumption	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:PercentageOfReasonablyPossibleDecreaseInActuarialAssumption
2101	Nominal discount rate-1% reduction - Actuarial liability balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInDefinedBenefitObligationDueToReasonablyPossibleDecreaseInActuarialAssumption
2102	Assumptions made (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:ActuarialAssumptionOfDiscountRateDecreaseInAssumption
2103	42907 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Assets of pension plans (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsAssetsOfPensionPlansDetails
2104	Disclosure of fair value of plan assets [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsTable
2105	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
2106	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
2107	Plans in Brazil	Member			ifrs-full:CountryOfDomicileMember
2108	Foreign plan	Member			ifrs-full:ForeignCountriesMember
2109	Classes of financial instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
2110	Financial instruments, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
2111	Portfolio of Vale's stock	Member			vale:PortfolioOfValeStockMember
2112	Brazilian Federal Government securities	Member			vale:BrazilianFederalGovernmentSecuritiesMember
2113	Canadian Government securities	Member			vale:CanadianGovernmentSecuritiesMember
2114	Assets of pension plans	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsLineItems
2115	Plan assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PlanAssetsAtFairValue
2116	42908 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Overfunded pension plans - Assets by category (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsOverfundedPensionPlansAssetsByCategoryDetails
2117	Disclosure of fair value of plan assets [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsTable
2118	Defined benefit plans [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
2119	Defined benefit plans [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
2120	Employee postretirements obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostretirementsObligationsMember
2121	Overfunded pension plans	Member			vale:OverfundedPensionPlansMember
2122	Classes of financial instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
2123	Financial instruments, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
2124	Corporate	Member			ifrs-full:CorporateLoansMember
2125	Government	Member			vale:GovernmentalBondsMember
2126	Fixed income	Member			vale:FixedIncomeMember
2127	Investments in equity securities	Member			ifrs-full:EquityInvestmentsMember
2128	Private Equity funds	Member			vale:IfrsPrivateEquityFundsMember
2129	Real estate funds	Member			vale:IfrsRealEstateFundsMember
2130	Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
2131	All levels of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
2132	Level 1	Member			ifrs-full:Level1OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2133	Level 2	Member			ifrs-full:Level2OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2134	Level 3	Member			ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2135	Assets by category	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsLineItems
2136	Debt securities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DebtInstrumentsAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2137	Investments funds	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentFundsAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2138	International investments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:InternationalInvestmentsAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2139	Structured investments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:StructuredDebtAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2140	Real estate	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2141	Loans to participants	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:LoansToParticipantsAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2142	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:PlanAssetsAtFairValueIncludingFundsNotRelatedToRiskPlans
2143	Funds not related to risk plans	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:AmountOfFundsNotRelatedToRiskEmployeeBenefitPlans
2144	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PlanAssetsAtFairValue
2145	42909 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Overfunded pension plans - Measurement of assets at fair value (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsOverfundedPensionPlansMeasurementOfAssetsAtFairValueDetails
2146	Disclosure of fair value measurement of assets [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueMeasurementOfAssetsTable
2147	Defined benefit plans [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
2148	Defined benefit plans [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
2149	Employee postretirements obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostretirementsObligationsMember
2150	Overfunded pension plans	Member			vale:OverfundedPensionPlansMember
2151	Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
2152	All levels of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
2153	Level 3	Member			ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2154	Classes of assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
2155	Assets [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
2156	Private equity funds	Member			ifrs-full:TradingEquitySecuritiesMember
2157	Real estate funds	Member			vale:IfrsRealEstateFundsMember
2158	Real estate	Member			ifrs-full:InvestmentPropertyMember
2159	Loans to participants	Member			vale:LoanToParticipantsMember
2160	Measurement of assets at fair value	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueMeasurementOfAssetsLineItems
2161	Measurement of plan assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:ReconciliationOfChangesInFairValueMeasurementAssetsAbstract
2162	Assets as at beginning of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:PlanAssetsAtFairValueIncludingFundsNotRelatedToRiskPlans
2163	Return on plan assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:GainsLossesRecognisedInProfitOrLossFairValueMeasurementAssets
2164	Assets purchases	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:PurchasesFairValueMeasurementAssets
2165	Assets sold during the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:SalesFairValueMeasurementAssets
2166	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:TranslationAdjustmentsFairValueMeasurementAssets
2167	Assets as at end of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:PlanAssetsAtFairValueIncludingFundsNotRelatedToRiskPlans
2168	42910 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Underfunded pension plans - Assets by category (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsUnderfundedPensionPlansAssetsByCategoryDetails
2169	Disclosure of fair value of plan assets [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsTable
2170	Defined benefit plans [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
2171	Defined benefit plans [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
2172	Employee postretirements obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostretirementsObligationsMember
2173	Underfunded pension plans	Member			vale:UnderfundedPensionPlansMember
2174	Classes of financial instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
2175	Financial instruments, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
2176	Corporate	Member			ifrs-full:CorporateLoansMember
2177	Government	Member			vale:GovernmentalBondsMember
2178	Fixed income	Member			vale:FixedIncomeMember
2179	Investments in equity securities	Member			ifrs-full:EquityInvestmentsMember
2180	Private Equity funds	Member			vale:IfrsPrivateEquityFundsMember
2181	Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
2182	All levels of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
2183	Level 1	Member			ifrs-full:Level1OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2184	Level 2	Member			ifrs-full:Level2OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2185	Level 3	Member			ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2186	Assets by category	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsLineItems
2187	Cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2188	Equity securities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:EquityInstrumentsAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2189	Debt securities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DebtInstrumentsAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2190	Investments funds	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentFundsAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2191	International investments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:InternationalInvestmentsAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2192	Structured investments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:StructuredDebtAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2193	Real estate	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2194	Loans to participants	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:LoansToParticipantsAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2195	Others	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherAssetsAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
2196	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:PlanAssetsAtFairValueIncludingFundsNotRelatedToRiskPlans
2197	42911 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Underfunded pension plans, Measurement of plan assets at fair value (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsUnderfundedPensionPlansMeasurementOfPlanAssetsAtFairValueDetails
2198	Disclosure of fair value measurement of assets [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueMeasurementOfAssetsTable
2199	Defined benefit plans [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
2200	Defined benefit plans [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
2201	Employee postretirements obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostretirementsObligationsMember
2202	Underfunded pension plans	Member			vale:UnderfundedPensionPlansMember
2203	Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
2204	All levels of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
2205	Level 3	Member			ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2206	Classes of assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
2207	Assets [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
2208	Private equity funds	Member			ifrs-full:TradingEquitySecuritiesMember
2209	Real estate funds	Member			vale:IfrsRealEstateFundsMember
2210	Real estate	Member			ifrs-full:InvestmentPropertyMember
2211	Loans to participants	Member			vale:LoanToParticipantsMember
2212	Others	Member			vale:OthersMember
2213	Measurement of assets at fair value	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueMeasurementOfAssetsLineItems
2214	Measurement of plan assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:ReconciliationOfChangesInFairValueMeasurementAssetsAbstract
2215	Assets as at beginning of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PlanAssetsAtFairValue
2216	Return on plan assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:GainsLossesRecognisedInProfitOrLossFairValueMeasurementAssets
2217	Assets purchases	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:PurchasesFairValueMeasurementAssets
2218	Assets sold during the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:SalesFairValueMeasurementAssets
2219	Translation adjustment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:TranslationAdjustmentsFairValueMeasurementAssets
2220	Assets as at end of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PlanAssetsAtFairValue
2221	42912 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Expected benefit payments (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsExpectedBenefitPaymentsDetails
2222	Disclosure of defined benefit plans [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansTable
2223	Defined benefit plans [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
2224	Defined benefit plans [member]	Member			ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
2225	Employee postretirements obligations	Member			vale:EmployeePostretirementsObligationsMember
2226	Overfunded pension plans	Member			vale:OverfundedPensionPlansMember
2227	Underfunded pension plans	Member			vale:UnderfundedPensionPlansMember
2228	Other benefits	Member			vale:OtherBenefitsMember
2229	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2230	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2231	2019	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2232	2020	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
2233	2021	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanTwoYearsAndNotLaterThanThreeYearsMember
2234	2022	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeYearsAndNotLaterThanFourYearsMember
2235	2023	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFourYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
2236	2024 and thereafter	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
2237	Employee benefits	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansLineItems
2238	Disbursement of cash flow in 2018	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:EstimateOfContributionsExpectedToBePaidToPlan
2239	Expected benefit payments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:EstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsFromDefinedBenefitPensionPlans
2240	42913 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Profit sharing program ("PLR") (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsProfitSharingProgramplrDetails
2241	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
2242	Employee benefits	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansAbstract
2243	Amount of profit sharing program expense charged to cost of goods sold and services rendered and other operating expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:ProfitSharingProgramExpense
2244	42914 - Disclosure - Employee benefits - Long-term compensation plan (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitsLongTermCompensationPlanDetails
2245	Disclosure of terms and conditions of share-based payment arrangement [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementTable
2246	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
2247	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
2248	Long-term compensation plan	Member			vale:LongTermCompensationPlanMember
2249	Matching Program	Member			vale:MatchingProgramMember
2250	Performance Share Unit Program - PSU	Member			vale:PerformanceShareUnitProgramMember
2251	Employee benefits	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementLineItems
2252	Vesting period (in years)	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		vale:VestingPeriodDefinedBenefitPlans
2253	Award paid during 2nd year (in percentage)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:LongTermCompensationProgramPaymentInSecondYear
2254	Award paid during 3rd year (in percentage)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:LongTermCompensationProgramPaymentInThirdYear
2255	Award paid during 4th year (in percentage)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:LongTermCompensationProgramPaymentInFourthYear
2256	Long term compensation plan costs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ExpenseFromCashsettledSharebasedPaymentTransactionsInWhichGoodsOrServicesReceivedDidNotQualifyForRecognitionAsAssets
2257	43001 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Share capital (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityShareCapitalDetails
2258	Disclosure of classes of share capital [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2259	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2260	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2261	Common share	Member			ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
2262	Preferred share	Member			ifrs-full:PreferenceSharesMember
2263	Entity Stockholders [Axis]	Axis			vale:EntityStockholdersAxis
2264	Entity Stockholders [Domain]	Member			vale:EntityStockholdersDomain
2265	Litel Participacoes S.A. and Litela Participacoes S.A.	Member			vale:LitelParticipacoesS.a.AndLitelaParticipacoesS.a.Member
2266	BNDESPar	Member			vale:BndesParMember
2267	Bradespar S.A.	Member			vale:BradesparS.a.Member
2268	Mitsui & Co., Ltd	Member			vale:MitsuiCo.LtdMember
2269	Foreign investors-ADRs	Member			vale:ForeignInvestorsMember
2270	FMP-FGTS	Member			vale:FmpFgtsMember
2271	PIBB-Fund	Member			vale:PibbBndesMember
2272	Foreign institutional investors in local market	Member			vale:ForeignInstitutionalInvestorsMember
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2274	Retail investors in Brazil	Member			vale:RetailInvestorsInBrazilMember
2275	Brazilian Government (Golden Share)	Member			vale:BrazilianGovernmentMember
2276	Stockholders' equity	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2277	Shares outstanding	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesOutstanding
2278	Shares in treasury	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:SharesInEntityHeldByEntityOrByItsSubsidiariesOrAssociates
2279	Total issued shares	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesIssuedAndFullyPaid
2280	Amounts per class of shares (in millions)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:IssuedCapital
2281	Total authorized shares	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesAuthorised
2282	43002 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Share buyback program (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityShareBuybackProgramDetails
2283	Disclosure of classes of share capital [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2284	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2285	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2286	Common share	Member			ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
2287	Stockholders' equity	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2288	Number of shares repurchased	Concept (Shares)	As Of		vale:StockRepurchaseProgramRepurchaseShares
2289	Repurchased shares average price	Concept (Share)	As Of		vale:StockRepurchaseProgramAveragePriceRepurchaseShares
2290	Total aggregate price of purchased shares	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:PurchaseOfTreasuryShares
2291	43003 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Remuneration to the Company's stockholders (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityRemunerationToCompanySStockholdersDetails
2292	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
2293	Stockholders' equity	Abstract			ifrs-full:MiscellaneousEquityAbstract
2294	Minimum percentage of remuneration on the adjusted net income	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:MinimumPercentageOfRemunerationOnAdjustedNetIncome.
2295	Net income of the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOwnersOfParent
2296	Appropriation to legal reserve	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:LegalReserveToCalculateStockholdersRemuneration
2297	Appropriation to tax incentive reserve	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:TaxIncentiveReserveToCalculateStockholdersRemuneration
2298	Net income after appropriations to legal reserve and tax incentive reserve	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:AdjustedIncomeStockholdersRemuneration
2299	Minimum mandatory remuneration	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:MinimumMandatoryRemuneration
2300	Stockholder's Remuneration Paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:StockholderSRemunerationPaid
2301	Appropriation to investments reserve	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:InvestmentsReserveToCalculateStockholdersRemuneration
2302	Withholding tax on retained earnings (as a percent)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:PercentageOfWithholdingTaxOnRetainedEarnings
2303	Minimum mandatory remuneration before	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:MinimumMandatoryRemunerationBeforeTax
2304	Percentage Of Semi Annual Stockholders Remuneration On Adjusted EBITDA	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:PercentageOfSemiAnnualStockholdersRemunerationOnAdjustedEbitda
2305	Stockholders' remuneration paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToEquityHoldersOfParentClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
2306	Remuneration (in dollars per share)	Concept (Share)	For Period		vale:TotalRemunerationPerShare
2307	Stockholders' remuneration based on interest on capital	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:StockholdersRemunerationInterestOnCapital
2308	Stockholders' remuneration based on dividends	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaid
2309	43004 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Profit reserves (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityProfitReservesDetails
2310	Disclosure of reserves within equity [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReservesWithinEquityTable
2311	Reserves within equity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ReservesWithinEquityAxis
2312	Other reserves [member]	Member			ifrs-full:OtherReservesMember
2313	Investments reserve	Member			vale:InvestmentsReserveMember
2314	Legal reserve	Member			ifrs-full:StatutoryReserveMember
2315	Tax incentive reserve	Member			vale:TaxIncentiveReserveMember
2316	Additional Remuneration reserve	Member			vale:AdditionalRemunerationReserveMember
2317	Profit reserves	Member			vale:ProfitReserveMember
2318	Profit reserves	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReservesWithinEquityLineItems
2319	Balance at beginning of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
2320	Allocation of Income (loss)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughAppropriationOfRetainedEarnings
2321	Dividends and interest on capital of Vale's stockholders	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsRecognisedAsDistributionsToOwnersOfParent
2322	Translation adjustments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxExchangeDifferencesOnTranslation
2323	Balance at end of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
2324	Maximum percentage of distributable income reserve for maintenance and development	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:MaximumPercentageOfDistributableIncomeForMaintenanceAndDevelopment
2325	Percentage of distributable income retained for capital investments budget	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:PercentageOfDistributableIncomeReserveForCapitalInvestments
2326	43005 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Unrealized fair value gain (losses) (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityUnrealizedFairValueGainLossesDetails
2327	Disclosure of reserves within equity [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReservesWithinEquityTable
2328	Reserves within equity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ReservesWithinEquityAxis
2329	Other reserves [member]	Member			ifrs-full:OtherReservesMember
2330	Unrealized fair value gain (losses)	Member			vale:UnrealizedFairValueGainOrLossMember
2331	Retirement benefit obligations	Member			ifrs-full:ReserveOfRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlansMember
2332	Available-for-sale- financial instruments	Member			ifrs-full:ReserveOfGainsAndLossesOnRemeasuringAvailableforsaleFinancialAssetsMember
2333	Conversion shares	Member			vale:ReserveOfConversionOfSharesMember
2334	Unrealized fair value gain (losses)	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReservesWithinEquityLineItems
2335	Balance at beginning of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
2336	Other comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncome
2337	Translation adjustments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxExchangeDifferencesOnTranslation
2338	Balance at end of year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
2339	43006 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Conversion preferred shares (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityConversionPreferredSharesDetails
2340	Disclosure of classes of share capital [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2341	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2342	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2343	Class A Preferred shares	Member			vale:ClassPreferredSharesMember
2344	Stockholders' equity	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2345	Conversion rate for each share of preferred share to common share	Concept (Pure)	For Period		vale:ConversionRateOfPreferredSharesToCommonShares
2346	Number of preference shares converted	Concept (Shares)	For Period		vale:ConversionOfStockPreferenceSharesConverted
2347	Total number of preferred shares converted (as a percentage)	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:ConversionOfStockPercentage
2348	43007 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Merger of Valepar S.A (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityMergerOfValeparSaDetails
2349	Disclosure of classes of share capital [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2350	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2351	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
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2353	Class A Preferred shares	Member			vale:ClassPreferredSharesMember
2354	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
2355	Entity's total for business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
2356	Valepar S.A	Member			vale:ValeparS.a.Member
2357	Entity Stockholders [Axis]	Axis			vale:EntityStockholdersAxis
2358	Entity Stockholders [Domain]	Member			vale:EntityStockholdersDomain
2359	Valepar S.A	Member			vale:ValeparS.a.Member
2360	Stockholders' equity	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2361	Shares issued	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfInstrumentsOrInterestsIssuedOrIssuable
2362	Number of shares issued to be issued for each share of the Valepar	Concept (Pure)	For Period		vale:NumberOfSharesIssuedOrIssuableForEachShareOfEntityAcquired
2363	Number of shares outstanding	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesOutstanding
2364	Current assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentAssetsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2365	Judicial deposits	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:JudicialDepositsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2366	Intangible	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IdentifiableIntangibleAssetsRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2367	Current liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilitiesRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2368	Provisions for litigation	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:ProvisionOfLitigationRecognizedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2369	Taxes payable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:TaxesPayablesRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
2370	Net assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IdentifiableAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumed
2371	Right to withdraw consideration per share	Concept (Share)	For Period		vale:RedemptionPriceOfDissentingShares
2372	Number of shares converted into treasury shares	Concept (Shares)	For Period		vale:NumberOfSharesConvertedInToTreasuryShares
2373	43008 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Share position (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquitySharePositionDetails
2374	Disclosure of classes of share capital [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2375	Classes of share capital [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2376	Share capital [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
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2378	Preferred share	Member			ifrs-full:PreferenceSharesMember
2379	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
2380	Entity's total for business combinations [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
2381	Valepar S.A	Member			vale:ValeparS.a.Member
2382	Stockholders' equity	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2383	Shares outstanding	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesOutstanding
2384	Shares in treasury	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:SharesInEntityHeldByEntityOrByItsSubsidiariesOrAssociates
2385	Total issued shares	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesIssuedAndFullyPaid
2386	Issue of new shares	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfInstrumentsOrInterestsIssuedOrIssuable
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2388	Shares outstanding, voluntary conversion	Concept (Shares)	For Period		vale:SharesConvertedInFinalConversionNet
2389	Shares in treasury, voluntary conversion	Concept (Shares)	For Period		vale:SharesInTreasuryConvertedInFinalConversionNet
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2391	43009 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Shareholders' Agreement (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityShareholdersAgreementDetails
2392	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsTable
2393	Business combinations [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
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2395	Valepar Agreement	Member			vale:NewShareholdersAgreementWithValeparS.a.ShareholdersMember
2396	Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsLineItems
2397	Shareholders Agreement	Abstract			ifrs-full:AcquisitiondateFairValueOfTotalConsiderationTransferredAbstract
2398	Percentage of shareholders that will be bind by a new shareholders' agreement post merger	Concept (Percent)	For Period		vale:PercentageOfShareholderThatWillBeBindOfPostMergerShareholdersAgreement
2399	Valepar Agreement term (in months)	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		vale:TermOfAgreement
2400	43101 - Disclosure - Related parties (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartiesDetails
2401	Disclosure of transactions between related parties [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesTable
2402	Categories of related parties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
2403	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
2404	Joint Ventures	Member			ifrs-full:JointVenturesWhereEntityIsVenturerMember
2405	Associates	Member			ifrs-full:AssociatesMember
2406	Major Stockholders	Member			vale:MajorStockholdersMember
2407	Related parties	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesLineItems
2408	Transactions with related parties	Abstract			ifrs-full:RelatedPartyTransactionsAbstract
2409	Net operating revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:RevenueFromSaleOfGoodsRelatedPartyTransactions
2410	Cost and operating expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:LeasesAsLesseeRelatedPartyTransactions
2411	Financial result	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:ProfitLossBeforeTaxRelatedPartyTransactions
2412	Outstanding balances with related parties	Abstract			ifrs-full:OutstandingBalancesForRelatedPartyTransactionsAbstract
2413	Cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:CashAndCashEquivalentsRelatedPartyTransactions
2414	Accounts receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:AmountsReceivableRelatedPartyTransactions
2415	Dividends receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:DividendReceivableRelatedPartyTransactions
2416	Loans to related parties	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:LoansAndBorrowingsToRelatedParty
2417	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetRelatedPartyTransactions
2418	Other assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:OtherAssetsRelatedPartyTransactions
2419	Supplier and contractors	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:AmountsPayableToSupplierAndContractorsRelatedPartyTransactions
2420	Loans from related parties	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:LoansAndBorrowingsFromRelatedParty
2421	Derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesRelatedPartyTransactions
2422	Others liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:OthersLiabilitiesRelatedPartyTransactions
2423	43102 - Disclosure - Related parties - Coal segment transactions (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartiesCoalSegmentTransactionsDetails
2424	Disclosure of transactions between related parties [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesTable
2425	Categories of related parties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
2426	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
2427	Pangea Emirates Ltd	Member			vale:PangeaEmiratesLtd.Member
2428	Ownership [Axis]	Axis			srt:OwnershipAxis
2429	Ownership [Domain]	Member			srt:OwnershipDomain
2430	Nacala BV	Member			vale:NacalaCorridorHoldingNetherlandsB.V.Member
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2435	Interest rate	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:RelatedPartyTransactionsRate
2436	Proportion of ownership interest in associate	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInAssociate
2437	43103 - Disclosure - Related parties - Key management personnel remuneration (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartiesKeyManagementPersonnelRemunerationDetails
2438	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
2439	Related parties	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesAbstract
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2443	Direct and indirect benefits	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensationDirectAndIndirectBenefits
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2448	Severance	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	vale:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensationSeverance
2449	Total short and long-term benefits	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensation
2450	43201 - Disclosure - Commitments - Contractual obligations (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsContractualObligationsDetails
2451	Disclosure of contingent liabilities [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesTable
2452	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2453	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2454	2019	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2455	2020	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
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2457	2022	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeYearsAndNotLaterThanFourYearsMember
2458	2023 and thereafter	Member			vale:LaterThanFourYearsMember
2459	Joint ventures [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
2460	Entity's total for joint ventures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
2461	Pelletizing companies	Member			vale:PelletizingCompaniesMember
2462	Commitments	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesLineItems
2463	Operating lease	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:MinimumLeasePaymentsPayableUnderNoncancellableOperatingLease
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2465	Total minimum payments required	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:ContractualObligationPaymentsDue
2466	Operational leasing expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:RentalExpense
2467	43202 - Disclosure - Commitments - Guarantees provided (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsGuaranteesProvidedDetails
2468	Disclosure of contingent liabilities [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesTable
2469	Associates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
2470	Entity's total for associates [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
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2472	Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem S.A.	Member			vale:CompanhiaSiderurgicaDoPecemS.a.Member
2473	Classes of contingent liabilities [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfContingentLiabilitiesAxis
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2479	43203 - Disclosure - Commitments - Nickel Operations (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsNickelOperationsDetails
2480	Disclosure of contingent liabilities [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesTable
2481	Subsidiaries [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
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2483	PTVI	Member			vale:PtValeIndonesiaTbkMember
2484	Commitments	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesLineItems
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2487	43401 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments - Protection programs for the R$ denominated debt instruments (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsProtectionProgramsForRDenominatedDebtInstrumentsDetails
2488	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
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2491	CDI vs. US$ fixed rate swap	Member			vale:BrazilianInterbankInterestRateVersusUSFixedRateSwapMember
2492	TJLP vs. US$ fixed rate swap	Member			vale:LongTermInterestRateVersusUSFixedRateSwapMember
2493	TJLP vs. USD floating rate swap	Member			vale:LongTermInterestRateVersusUsFloatingRateSwapMember
2494	R$ fixed rate vs. US$ fixed rate swap	Member			vale:BrazilianRealFixedRateVersusUSFixedRateSwapMember
2495	IPCA vs. US$ fixed rate swap	Member			vale:NdiceNacionalDePreosAoConsumidorAmploVersusUSFixedRateSwapMember
2496	IPCA vs. CDI swap	Member			vale:IpcaVersusCdiSwapMember
2497	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2498	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2499	2019	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2500	2020	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
2501	2021+	Member			vale:LaterThanTwoYearAndThereAfterMember
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2503	Confidence level to estimate value at risk (as a percentage)	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:ValueAtRiskConfidenceLevel
2504	Receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	vale:DerivativeAssetsNotionalAmount
2505	Payable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:DerivativeLiabilitiesNotionalAmount
2506	Average receivable rate	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:DerivativeReceivableInterestRate
2507	Average payable rate	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:DerivativePayableInterestRate
2508	Fair value of liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
2509	Fair value of assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
2510	Financial settlement inflows (outflows)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DerivativesSettlementCashOutflowInflow
2511	Value at risk	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:ValueAtRisk
2512	43402 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments - Protection program for EUR denominated debt instruments (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsProtectionProgramForEurDenominatedDebtInstrumentsDetails
2513	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2514	Classes of financial instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
2515	Financial instruments, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
2516	EUR fixed rate vs. US$ fixed rate swap	Member			vale:EuroFixedRateVersusUSFixedRateSwapMember
2517	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2518	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2519	2019	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2520	2020	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
2521	2021+	Member			vale:LaterThanTwoYearAndThereAfterMember
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2524	Payable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	vale:DerivativeLiabilitiesNotionalAmount
2525	Average receivable rate	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:DerivativeReceivableInterestRate
2526	Average payable rate	Concept (Percent)	As Of		vale:DerivativePayableInterestRate
2527	Fair value of liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
2528	Fair value of assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
2529	Financial settlement inflows (outflows)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DerivativesSettlementCashOutflowInflow
2530	Value at risk	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:ValueAtRisk
2531	43403 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments - Bunker Oil purchase cash flows protection program (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsBunkerOilPurchaseCashFlowsProtectionProgramDetails
2532	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2533	Classes of financial instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
2534	Financial instruments, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
2535	Bunker oil purchase cash flows protection program	Member			vale:BunkerOilPurchaseCashFlowsProtectionProgramMember
2536	Call options - Bunker Oil -bought	Member			vale:BunkerOilCallOptionsBoughtMember
2537	Put options - Bunker Oil - sold	Member			vale:BunkerOilPutOptionsSoldMember
2538	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2539	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
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2543	Average strike per ton	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		vale:AverageStrikeRatePerTon
2544	Fair value of liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
2545	Fair value of assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
2546	Financial settlement inflows (outflows)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DerivativesSettlementCashOutflowInflow
2547	Value at risk	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:ValueAtRisk
2548	43404 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments - Protection programs for base metals raw materials and products (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsProtectionProgramsForBaseMetalsRawMaterialsAndProductsDetails
2549	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
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2553	Nickel forwards - Fixed price sales - Bought	Member			vale:NickelForwardsFixedPriceSalesBoughtMember
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2565	Financial settlement inflows (outflows)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DerivativesSettlementCashOutflowInflow
2566	Value at risk	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:ValueAtRisk
2567	43405 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments - Freight derivative positions (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsFreightDerivativePositionsDetails
2568	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2569	Classes of financial instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
2570	Financial instruments, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
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2572	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2573	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2574	2019	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
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2578	Fair value of liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
2579	Fair value of assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
2580	Financial settlement inflows (outflows)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DerivativesSettlementCashOutflowInflow
2581	Value at risk	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:ValueAtRisk
2582	43406 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments - Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. warrants (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsWheatonPreciousMetalsCorpWarrantsDetails
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2584	Classes of financial instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
2585	Financial instruments, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
2586	Call options -SLW- Bought	Member			vale:CallOptionsSlwBoughtMember
2587	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2588	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
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2591	Notional (quantity)	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NominalAmountOfHedgingInstrument
2592	Average strike per share	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		vale:AverageStrikeRatePerShare
2593	Fair value of assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
2594	Financial settlement inflows (outflows)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DerivativesSettlementCashOutflowInflow
2595	Value at risk	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:ValueAtRisk
2596	43407 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments - Debentures convertible into shares of Valor da Logstica Integrada (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsDebenturesConvertibleIntoSharesOfValorDaLogsticaIntegradaDetails
2597	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
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2600	Debentures convertible into shares of Valor da Logstica Integrada ("VLI")	Member			vale:ConversionOptionsDebenturesSoldMember
2601	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
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2608	Financial settlement inflows (outflows)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DerivativesSettlementCashOutflowInflow
2609	Value at risk	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:ValueAtRisk
2610	43408 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments - Options related to MBR shares (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsOptionsRelatedToMbrSharesDetails
2611	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2612	Classes of financial instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
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2614	Options related to Mineraes Brasileiras Reunidas S.A. ("MBR") shares	Member			ifrs-full:OptionContractMember
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2620	Average strike per share	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		vale:AverageStrikeRatePerShare
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2622	Financial settlement inflows (outflows)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DerivativesSettlementCashOutflowInflow
2623	Value at risk	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:ValueAtRisk
2624	43409 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments - Embedded derivatives in contracts (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsEmbeddedDerivativesInContractsDetails
2625	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
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2629	Embedded - Nickel forwards - sold	Member			vale:EmbeddedNickelForwardsContractSoldMember
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2631	Embedded - Call options - sold	Member			vale:EmbeddedCallOptionsSoldMember
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2634	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
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2636	2019+	Member			vale:OneYearAndThereafterMember
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2639	Derivative financial instruments.	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
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2644	Average strike rate per share	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		vale:AverageStrikeRatePerShare
2645	Fair value of liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
2646	Fair value of assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
2647	Financial settlement inflows (outflows)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	vale:DerivativesSettlementCashOutflowInflow
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2649	43410 - Disclosure - Additional information about derivatives financial instruments - Sensitivity analysis of derivative financial instruments (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.vale.com/role/DisclosureAdditionalInformationAboutDerivativesFinancialInstrumentsSensitivityAnalysisOfDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails
2650	Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
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