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Employee benefits - Profit sharing program ("PLR") (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Employee benefits |  |  |
Amount of profit sharing program expense charged to cost of goods sold and services rendered and other operating expenses | $ 353 | $ 289 | $ 503

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- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The amount of profit sharing program expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vale_ProfitSharingProgramExpense
Namespace Prefix: | vale_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration