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Operating segments - Summary of gross sales revenue within the reportable segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 40,030 | $ 33,781 | $ 34,829
Reportable segments [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 41,872 | 35,329 | 36,819
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron Ore [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 18,251 | 14,605 | 13,952
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 11,005 | 9,458 | 10,117
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 4,842 | 4,524 | 5,592
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 7,764 | 6,734 | 7,140
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 10 | 8 | 18
Inter-segment transactions [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | (15) | (11) | (34)
Product group [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 41,857 | 35,318 | 36,785
Items excluded from underlying earnings [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 10 | 18 | (1)
Gross sales revenue [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 41,867 | 35,336 | 36,784
Share of equity accounted units and adjustments [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Adjustment for equity accounted units revenue | $ (1,837) | $ (1,555) | $ (1,955)

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