XML 116 R109.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1
Operating segments - Summary of tax charge 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]      
Tax charge $ 3,965 $ 1,567 $ 993
Reportable segments [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Tax charge 4,030 2,114 2,022
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron Ore [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Tax charge 2,871 2,005 1,747
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Tax charge 543 171 303
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Tax charge 48 (320) (77)
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Tax charge 652 331 122
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Tax charge (84) (73) (73)
Other items [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Tax charge (261) (191) (192)
Exploration and evaluation not attributed to product groups [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Tax charge (36) (27) (25)
Finance costs [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Tax charge (364) (484) (245)
Underlying earnings [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Tax charge 3,369 1,412 1,560
Tax charge/ (credit) excluded from underlying earnings [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Tax charge $ 596 $ 155 $ (567)