XML 121 R114.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Operating segments - Consolidated sales revenue by destination (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
China [member] |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |
Allocation of revenue increase (decrease) | $ 337 | $ 135
Canada [member] |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |
Allocation of revenue increase (decrease) |  | 155
Asia (excluding China and Japan) [member] |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |
Allocation of revenue increase (decrease) | $ (319) | $ (263)

X
- Definition Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes of the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DisclosureOfGeographicalAreasLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Allocation of revenue increase (decrease). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_AllocationOfRevenueIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_GeographicalAreasAxis=country_CN
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_GeographicalAreasAxis=country_CA
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_GeographicalAreasAxis=rio_AsiaExcludingChinaAndJapanMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |