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Share-based payments - Summary of options outstanding and exercisable (Parenthetical) (Detail) - Dec. 31, 2017 - Share Option Plan [member] | GBP (£) | AUD ($)
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Rio Tinto plc [member] | Bottom of range [Member] | Ranges Of Exercise Prices For Outstanding Share Options Three |  |
Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Line Items] |  |
Options outstanding, exercise price | £ 16,000,000 |
Rio Tinto plc [member] | Top of range [Member] | Ranges Of Exercise Prices For Outstanding Share Options Three |  |
Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Line Items] |  |
Options outstanding, exercise price | £ 43,000,000 |
Rio Tinto Limited [member] | Top of range [Member] | Ranges Of Exercise Prices For Outstanding Share Options Four |  |
Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Line Items] |  |
Options outstanding, exercise price | $ |  | $ 33,000,000

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