XML 244 R237.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Purchases and sales of subsidiaries, joint ventures, associates and other interests in businesses - Additional information (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Millions |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 01, 2017 | Nov. 23, 2016 | Jul. 20, 2016 | Mar. 01, 2016 | Jun. 17, 2015 | Apr. 23, 2015 | May 31, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchased amount |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 194,000,000 |  |  |  |
2017 disposals [member] | Yancoal Australia Limited [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership interest in joint venture disposed | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disposal amount | $ 2,690,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration for disposal | 2,450,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,540,000,000 |
Unconditional guaranteed royalty payments received |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 110,000,000 |
Expected unconditional royalty payments to be received | $ 240,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 130,000,000 |
2016 disposals [member] | New hope corporation limited [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership interest in joint venture disposed |  |  |  | 40.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disposal amount |  |  |  | $ 616,700,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2016 disposals [member] | SIMEC [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disposal amount |  | $ 410,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 224,000,000
2015 disposals [member] | RZ Murowa Holdings Limited [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership interest in cash generating units disposed |  |  |  |  | 77.80% |  |  |  |  |  |
Proportion of ownership interest disposed |  |  |  |  | 50.00% |  |  |  |  |  |
Simfer Jersey Limited [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of subsidiary |  |  |  |  |  |  | 53.00% |  |  |  |
Percentage of purchased interest |  |  |  |  |  |  | 53.00% |  |  |  |
Ownership interest |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 53.00% |
Simfer S.A. [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of subsidiary |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.25% |  |  |  |
Percentage of purchased interest |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.25% |  |  |  |
Non-controlling interest (%), Subsidiary |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 45.05% |
Ownership interest |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 85.00% |
Simfer S.A. [member] | 2016 disposals [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of non-contributory shares |  |  | 7.50% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of ordinary contributory shares upon second tranche |  |  | 10.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of ordinary contributory shares |  |  | 5.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Simfer S.A. [member] | Bottom of range [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of subsidiary |  |  |  |  |  |  | 42.80% |  |  |  |
Percentage of purchased interest |  |  |  |  |  |  | 42.80% |  |  |  |
Simfer S.A. [member] | Top of range [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of subsidiary |  |  |  |  |  |  | 45.05% |  |  |  |
Percentage of purchased interest |  |  |  |  |  |  | 45.05% |  |  |  |
Carbone savoie [Member] | 2016 disposals [member] | Alandia industries [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership interest in cash generating units disposed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100.00% |  |
Bougainville Copper Limited [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-controlling interest (%), Subsidiary |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 36.40%
Bougainville Copper Limited [Member] | Equity Trustees Limited [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disposal amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0 |  |  |
Percentage of share holding transferred |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 53.83% |  |  |
Bougainville Copper Limited [Member] | Autonomous Bougainville Government [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of ownership shares distributed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 36.40%
Bougainville Copper Limited [Member] | Independent State of Papua New Guinea [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of ownership shares distributed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 17.40%
Lochaber [member] | 2016 disposals [member] | SIMEC [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proportion of ownership interest disposed |  | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership interest |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 50.79% |
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd [member] | 2015 disposals [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sale of common shares |  |  |  |  |  | 48.7 |  |  |  |  |
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd [member] | Top of range [Member] | 2015 disposals [member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership interest |  |  |  |  |  | 20.00% |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition The amount of cash and cash equivalents in subsidiaries or other businesses over which control is obtained or lost. [Refer: Subsidiaries [member]; Cash and cash equivalents] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 7 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=7&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_40_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CashAndCashEquivalentsInSubsidiaryOrBusinessesAcquiredOrDisposed2013
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of consideration paid or received in respect of both obtaining and losing control of subsidiaries or other businesses. [Refer: Subsidiaries [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 7 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=7&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_40_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ConsiderationPaidReceived
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of shares issued by the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 106 -Subparagraph d -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_106_d&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_NumberOfSharesIssued
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The portion of consideration paid or received, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, in respect of both obtaining and losing control of subsidiaries or other businesses. [Refer: Subsidiaries [member]; Cash and cash equivalents; Consideration paid (received)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 7 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph b -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=7&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_40_b&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_PortionOfConsiderationPaidReceivedConsistingOfCashAndCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The proportion of ownership interest in a subsidiary attributable to the entity. [Refer: Subsidiaries [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 27 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph b -Clause iii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=27&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_17_b_iii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 27 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph b -Clause iii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=27&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_16_b_iii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 12 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 19B -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=12&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_19B_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The proportion of ownership interests in a subsidiary held by non-controlling interests. [Refer: Subsidiaries [member]; Non-controlling interests] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 12 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=12&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_12_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ProportionOfOwnershipInterestsHeldByNoncontrollingInterests
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of subsidiary purchased. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_AmountOfSubsidiaryPurchased
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Disclosure of acquisitions and disposals. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_DisclosureOfAcquisitionsAndDisposalsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Expected unconditional guaranteed royalty payments to be received. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_ExpectedUnconditionalGuaranteedRoyaltyPaymentsToBeReceived
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of non-contributory shares. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_PercentageOfNoncontributoryShares
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of ordinary contributory shares. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_PercentageOfOrdinaryContributoryShares
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of ordinary contributory shares upon second tranche. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_PercentageOfOrdinaryContributorySharesUponSecondTranche
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of ownership shares distributed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_PercentageOfOwnershipSharesDistributed
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of share holding transferred. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_PercentageOfShareHoldingTransferred
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of subsidiary. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_PercentageOfSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Proportion of ownership interest disposed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_ProportionOfOwnershipInterestDisposed
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Proportion of ownership interest in cash generating units disposed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInCashGeneratingUnitsDisposed
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Proportion of ownership interest in jointventure disposed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointventureDisposed
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Unconditional guaranteed royalty payments received. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_UnconditionalGuaranteedRoyaltyPaymentsReceived
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=rio_TwoThousandAndSeventeenDisposalsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis=rio_YancoalAustraliaLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=rio_TwoThousandAndSixteenDisposalsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis=rio_NewHopeCorporationLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis=rio_SimecMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=rio_TwoThousandAndFifteenDisposalsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis=rio_RzMurowaHoldingsLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis=rio_SimferJerseyLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis=rio_SimferSaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_RangeAxis=ifrs-full_BottomOfRangeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_RangeAxis=ifrs-full_TopOfRangeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis=rio_CarboneSavoieMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis=rio_AlandiaIndustriesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis=rio_BougainvilleCopperLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=rio_EquityTrusteesLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=rio_AutonomousBougainvilleGovernmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=rio_IndependentStateOfPapuaNewGuineaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis=rio_LochaberMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis=rio_TurquoiseHillResourcesLtdMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |