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Trade and other receivables - Summary of trade and other receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Trade And Other Receivables [Abstract] |  |
Net of provisions for doubtful debts | $ 55 | $ 66
Impairment loss recognised in profit or loss, trade receivables | 38 |
Unused provision reversed, other provisions | $ 11 |

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- Definition The amount of an allowance account used to record impairments to financial assets due to credit losses. [Refer: Financial assets] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Note Expiry date 2018-01-01 -Name IFRS -Number 7 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 16 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=7&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_16&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 + Details
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Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The amount of impairment loss recognised in profit or loss for trade receivables. [Refer: Impairment loss recognised in profit or loss; Trade receivables] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 112 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_112_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_TradeAndOtherReceivablesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
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Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Reversal of unused provision for doubtful debt. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration