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Operating segments - Consolidated sales revenue by product (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Products And Services [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales revenues | $ 40,030 | $ 33,781 | $ 34,829
Iron Ore [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Products And Services [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales revenues | 20,010 | 15,855 | 15,239
Aluminium [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Products And Services [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales revenues | 10,864 | 9,342 | 9,904
Copper [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Products And Services [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales revenues | 1,760 | 1,609 | 1,577
Coal [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Products And Services [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales revenues | 2,822 | 2,567 | 2,703
Industrial minerals [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Products And Services [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales revenues | 2,060 | 1,954 | 2,155
Gold [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Products And Services [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales revenues | 378 | 608 | 1,063
Diamonds [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Products And Services [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales revenues | 706 | 613 | 698
Other Product [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Products And Services [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales revenues | $ 1,430 | $ 1,233 | $ 1,490

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