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Impairment charges and reversals - Summary of impairment charges and reversals (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals | $ (796) | $ (249) | $ (2,791)
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals | (796) | (249) | (2,791)
Total impairment charge net of reversals in the financial information by business unit | (796) | (249) | (2,791)
Taxation (including related to EAUs) | 141 | 66 | (57)
Non-controlling interests | 174 |  | 1,046
Total impairment in the income statement | (481) | (183) | (1,802)
Impairment charges, Tax | 141 |  |
Impairment charges, Non-controlling interests | 174 |  |
Impairment charge net of reversals, net amount | (481) |  |
Goodwill [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals |  |  | (116)
Intangible assets [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals | (357) | (1) | (1,833)
Property, plant and equipment [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals | (435) | (248) | (652)
Other assets and liabilities [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals | (4) |  | (190)
Energy & Minerals [Member] | Roughrider [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals | (357) |  | (229)
Impairment charges, Tax | 100 |  |
Impairment charge net of reversals, net amount | (257) |  |
Energy & Minerals [Member] | Rossing [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals | (267) |  |
Impairment charges, Tax | 7 |  |
Impairment charges, Non-controlling interests | 83 |  |
Impairment charge net of reversals, net amount | (177) |  |
Energy & Minerals [Member] | Simandou [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals |  |  | (2,039)
Impairment charges, Non-controlling interests | 91 |  |
Impairment charge net of reversals, net amount | 91 |  |
Energy & Minerals [Member] | Energy Resources of Australia [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals |  |  | (260)
Copper & Diamonds [member] | Argyle Diamond Mine [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals | (172) | (241) |
Impairment charges, Tax | 34 |  |
Impairment charge net of reversals, net amount | $ (138) |  |
Copper & Diamonds [member] | Molybdenum Autoclave Process [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals |  |  | (17)
Aluminium [Member] | Other aluminium businesses [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals |  |  | (179)
Other operations [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] |  |  |
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals |  | $ (8) | $ (67)

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