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Principal joint ventures - Summary financial information for joint ventures that are material to the Group (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue |  | $ 40,030 | $ 33,781 | $ 34,829
Depreciation and amortisation |  | (4,375) | (4,794) | (4,645)
Finance costs |  | (848) | (1,111) | (750)
Taxation |  | (3,965) | (1,567) | (993)
Profit/(loss) after tax for the year |  | 8,851 | 4,776 | (1,719)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year | [1] | 11,939 | 4,713 | $ (3,749)
– Non-current assets |  | 76,554 | 74,177 |
– Current assets |  | 18,678 | 15,055 |
– Current liabilities |  | (11,225) | (9,362) |
– Non-current liabilities |  | (33,262) | (34,133) |
Net assets |  | 51,115 | 45,730 |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | 10,550 | 8,201 |
Minera Escondida Limitada [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue |  | 6,037 | 4,883 |
Depreciation and amortisation |  | (1,690) | (1,213) |
Other operating costs |  | (2,617) | (2,199) |
Operating profit |  | 1,730 | 1,471 |
Finance costs |  | (120) | (47) |
Taxation |  | (627) | (517) |
Profit/(loss) after tax for the year |  | 983 | 907 |
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year |  | 983 | 907 |
– Non-current assets |  | 13,814 | 14,947 |
– Current assets |  | 2,760 | 2,257 |
– Current liabilities |  | (1,727) | (1,403) |
– Non-current liabilities |  | (4,617) | (4,112) |
Net assets |  | 10,230 | 11,689 |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | 460 | 443 |
Current financial liabilities |  | (330) | (467) |
Non-current financial liabilities |  | (2,840) | (2,643) |
Dividends received from joint venture (Rio Tinto share) |  | 780 | 210 |
Sohar Aluminium Co. L.L.C. [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue |  | 460 | 610 |
Depreciation and amortisation |  | (145) | (130) |
Other operating costs |  | (205) | (425) |
Operating profit |  | 110 | 55 |
Finance costs |  | (35) | (25) |
Profit/(loss) after tax for the year |  | 75 | 30 |
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year |  | 75 | 30 |
– Non-current assets |  | 3,230 | 3,275 |
– Current assets |  | 305 | 255 |
– Current liabilities |  | (205) | (45) |
– Non-current liabilities |  | (1,270) | (1,505) |
Net assets |  | 2,060 | 1,980 |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | 95 | 20 |
Current financial liabilities |  | (130) | (100) |
Non-current financial liabilities |  | $ (1,120) | $ (1,230) |
[1] | Refer to Group statement of comprehensive income for further details. Adjustments to other reserves include currency translation attributable to owners of Rio Tinto, other than that arising on Rio Tinto Limited share capital.

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