XML 118 R111.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1
Operating segments - Reconciliation of net earnings/(losses) to underlying earnings (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Reconciliation Of Net Earnings Losses To Underlying Earnings [Abstract]      
Impairment charges $ (796) $ (249) $ (2,791)
Net gains on disposal of interests in businesses, Pre-tax 2,344    
Exchange and derivative (losses)/gains, Pre-tax:      
– Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances, Pre-tax (613)    
– Gain/(losses) on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Pre-tax 33    
– (Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Pre-tax (498)    
Rio Tinto Kennecott insurance settlement, Pre-tax 73    
Total excluded from underlying earnings, Pre-tax 543    
Net earnings/(loss), Pre-tax 12,816 6,343 (726)
Underlying earnings, Pre-tax 12,273    
Impairment charges, Tax 141    
Net gains on disposal of interests in businesses, Tax (322)    
Exchange and derivative (losses)/gains, Tax:      
– Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances, Tax 113    
– Gain/(losses) on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Tax (5)    
– (Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Tax 146    
Changes in corporate tax rates in the US and France, Tax (439)    
Rio Tinto Kennecott insurance settlement, Tax (28)    
Tax provision   380  
Adjustment to deferred tax assets relating to expected divestments, Tax (202)    
Total excluded from underlying earnings, Tax (596)    
Net earnings/(loss), Tax (3,965) (1,567) (993)
Underlying earnings, Tax (3,369)    
Impairment charges, Non-controlling interests 174    
Exchange and derivative (losses)/gains:      
– Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances, Non-controlling interests 12    
– Gain/(losses) on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Non-controlling interests 2    
Total excluded from underlying earnings, Non-controlling interests 188    
Net earnings/(loss), Non-controlling interests (89) (159) 853
Underlying earnings, Non-controlling interests (277)    
Impairment charges, Net (481) (183) (1,802)
Net gains on disposal of interests in businesses, Net 2,022 382 48
Exchange and derivative (losses)/gains:      
– Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances, Net (488) 516 (3,282)
– Gain/(losses) on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Net 30 (12) (88)
– (Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Net (352) 32 88
Changes in corporate tax rates in the US and France, Net (439)    
Onerous port and rail contracts, Net   (329)  
Restructuring costs and global headcount reductions, Net   (177) (258)
Increased closure provision for non-operating and legacy operations, Net   (282) (233)
Rio Tinto Kennecott insurance settlement, Net 45   18
Tax provision   (380)  
Adjustment to deferred tax assets relating to expected divestments, Net (202)   234
Other exclusions, Net   (50) (131)
Total excluded from underlying earnings, Net 135 (483) (5,406)
– attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (net earnings/(loss)) 8,762 4,617 (866)
Underlying earnings, Net $ 8,627 $ 5,100 $ 4,540