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Asset Retirement Obligations - Schedule of Carrying Value of Recorded AROs by Major Category (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
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Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract] |  |  |
Spent pot lining disposal | $ 182 | $ 182 |
Closure of bauxite residue areas | 179 | 190 |
Mine reclamation | 178 | 189 |
Demolition | 68 | 28 |
Landfill closure | 18 | 17 |
Other | 4 | 4 |
Asset retirement obligation, total | $ 629 | $ 610 | $ 579

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- Definition Closure of residue areas. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Demolition. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Other asset retirement obligation. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Spent pot lining disposal. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The estimated amount of costs required as of the balance sheet date to comply with regulatory requirements pertaining to the retirement of a waste management facility, which will be paid after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 24 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 35 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392603&loc=d3e7037-110846 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 25 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392544&loc=d3e6290-110844 + Details
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- Definition The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Asset Retirement Obligation -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505190 + Details
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- Details
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- Definition Amount of a reclamation and mine closing liability that is associated with a legal obligation for the closure and reclamation of a mine including the removal of buildings, equipment, machinery and other physical remnants of mining, closure of tailings impoundments, leach pads and other mine features, and contouring, covering and revegetation of waste rock piles and other disturbed areas. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.Y.Q2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751 + Details
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