Basic and diluted earnings per share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jun. 30, 2026 |
Jun. 30, 2025 |
Jun. 30, 2026 |
Jun. 30, 2025 |
|
| IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items] | ||||
| Net income attributable to Vale S.A.'s shareholders | $ 1,375 | $ 2,117 | $ 3,268 | $ 3,511 |
| Thousands of shares | ||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 4,259,349 | 4,268,779 | 4,263,826 | 4,268,769 |
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potential ordinary shares | 4,265,918 | 4,274,808 | 4,270,395 | 4,274,798 |
| Ordinary shares [member] | ||||
| Thousands of shares | ||||
| Basic earnings per share attributable to Vale S.A's shareholders | $ 0.32 | $ 0.50 | $ 0.77 | $ 0.82 |
| Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vale S.A's shareholders | $ 0.32 | $ 0.50 | $ 0.77 | $ 0.82 |