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Impairment charges and reversals - Summary of impairment charges and reversals (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals $ (796) $ (249) $ (2,791)
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals (796) (249) (2,791)
Total impairment charge net of reversals in the financial information by business unit (796) (249) (2,791)
Taxation (including related to EAUs) 141 66 (57)
Non-controlling interests 174   1,046
Total impairment in the income statement (481) (183) (1,802)
Impairment charges, Tax 141    
Impairment charges, Non-controlling interests 174    
Impairment charge net of reversals, net amount (481)    
Goodwill [Member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals     (116)
Intangible assets [Member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals (357) (1) (1,833)
Property, plant and equipment [member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals (435) (248) (652)
Other assets and liabilities [member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals (4)   (190)
Energy & Minerals [Member] | Roughrider [member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals (357)   (229)
Impairment charges, Tax 100    
Impairment charge net of reversals, net amount (257)    
Energy & Minerals [Member] | Rossing [member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals (267)    
Impairment charges, Tax 7    
Impairment charges, Non-controlling interests 83    
Impairment charge net of reversals, net amount (177)    
Energy & Minerals [Member] | Simandou [member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals     (2,039)
Impairment charges, Non-controlling interests 91    
Impairment charge net of reversals, net amount 91    
Energy & Minerals [Member] | Energy Resources of Australia [member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals     (260)
Copper & Diamonds [member] | Argyle Diamond Mine [member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals (172) (241)  
Impairment charges, Tax 34    
Impairment charge net of reversals, net amount $ (138)    
Copper & Diamonds [member] | Molybdenum Autoclave Process [member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals     (17)
Aluminium [Member] | Other aluminium businesses [member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals     (179)
Other operations [Member]      
Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items]      
Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals   $ (8) $ (67)