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Rio Tinto Limited parent company disclosures - Additional information (Detail) - Guarantees [Member] $ in Millions, $ in Billions | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 AUD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 AUD ($)
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Statement Of Financial Statements [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Guaranteed amount of external debt |  | $ 10,200 |  | $ 14,100
Minera Escondida Limitada undrawn shareholder line of credit Rio Tinto share | $ 7.5 | 9,600 | $ 7.5 | 10,400
Rio Tinto Limited [member] |  |  |  |
Statement Of Financial Statements [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Guaranteed amount of other external debt |  | 100 |  | 100
Derivative financial liabilities |  | $ 48 |  | $ 1

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- Details
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