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Investments in equity accounted units - Summary of Investments in equity accounted units (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
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Disclosure of Investments in equity accounted units [Line Items] |  |  |
– Non-current assets | $ 76,554 | $ 74,177 |
– Current assets | 18,678 | 15,055 |
Total assets | 95,726 | 89,263 |
– Current liabilities | (11,225) | (9,362) |
– Non-current liabilities | (33,262) | (34,133) |
Total liabilities | (44,611) | (43,533) |
Rio Tinto's share of net assets | 4,486 | 5,019 |
Investment in equity accounted units [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of Investments in equity accounted units [Line Items] |  |  |
– Non-current assets | 5,913 | 6,686 |
– Current assets | 990 | 832 |
Total assets | 6,903 | 7,518 |
– Current liabilities | (654) | (612) |
– Non-current liabilities | (1,763) | (1,887) |
Total liabilities | (2,417) | (2,499) |
Rio Tinto's share of net assets | $ 4,486 | $ 5,019 | $ 4,941

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