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Operating segments - Summary of gross sales revenue within the reportable segments (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
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)